When looking for a new dentist, you might come across terms such as cosmetic, family, and general dentistry. Additionally, dentists might be periodontists, endodontists, or orthodontists, etc., but do you know what these names mean? This blog post takes a quick look at these dental terms and the different types of dentists.
Dentistry is "the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment (nonsurgical, surgical or related procedures) of diseases, disorders and/or conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and/or the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body," as defined by American Dental Association (ADA). The short version is that dentists are medical practitioners that specialize in issues of the mouth and the surrounding areas.
The Different Types of Dentistry
General Dentistry
General dentistry is focused mainly on preventive procedures, such as diagnosis, x-rays, teeth cleanings, and patient counseling. General dentists can treat most dental conditions and are proficient at almost all treatments. Some general dentists may decide to focus on certain areas of dentistry.
In the US, eighty percent of dentists are general dentists, making them the majority of dentists. General dentists provide various types of diagnostic, preventive, restorative, and cosmetic services to maintain the oral health of their patients. To become a general dentist, one needs to receive a specialized education to receive a Doctor of Dental Medicine or Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from a recognized dental college.
Family Dentistry
The term "family dentistry" is used when a dentist provides dental care to all family members, no matter their age. These general dentists provide treatment for common dental conditions that can affect someone during any stage of their lives.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry involves cosmetic procedures that improve the aesthetic appearance of your smile, as opposed to helping the functional aspect of the gums and teeth. It mainly deals with the aesthetics of a smile, including the shape, color, and size of the teeth. Cosmetic treatments include teeth whitening, reshaping, straightening, bridging, gum lifting, installing dental implants and veneers.
Different Types of Dentists
A dentist who decides to go beyond general dentistry and undergo additional training and education can become specialists. Here are what some of these dental specialists do.
Endodontist – Root canal therapy specialists. They have expertise in nerves, tooth pulp, and blood vessels.
Orthodontist – Responsible for treating the alignment of teeth with braces, mouthguards, clear aligners, headgear, retainers, and facemasks. Help modify midface and mandibular growth and improve bone structure.
Pedodontist - Also known as a Pediatric Dentist. These dentists focus their dentistry on children, from newborns to teenagers. They can provide counseling for the oral habits of children such as thumb-sucking.
Periodontist - Deal with the surgical and non-surgical treatment of the periodontium, which is the soft tissue in your mouth such as the gums.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon - Oral surgeons deal with the soft and hard tissues of the face, performing surgeries such as corrective jaw surgery, dental implant surgery, cleft lip or cleft palate surgery, and tooth extractions.
Prosthodontist – This dental specialist provides oral prostheses such as dentures, implant replacements, and bridges to replace broken or damaged teeth for both functional and cosmetic reasons.
Dental Public Health (DPH) - This specialization deals with the promotion of oral health and preventing oral disease in society, the focus on populations instead of individual patients.
Geriatric Dentistry (Geriodontics) – This type of dentist deals with the treatment of seniors and oral issues related to age.
As a General Dentist, Dr. Sachs can provide treatment for the majority of her patients' needs. If you have any questions about our services or need to schedule an appointment, get in touch with us today!