Most people think being a dentist is the only profession that comes under the dental profession. But do you know how many people put effort into giving you a beautiful smile based on oral car issues? Let’s understand the difference between different dental professionals.
General Dentist
They are the core providers who help ensure oral health and diagnose and treat dental issues. Their routine procedures include fillings, cleaning, extractions, regular check-ups, x-rays, and crowns to maintain dental hygiene. They also educate patients about oral hygiene practices and refer patients to specialists if they need further treatment.
Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists are licensed professionals whose optimal focus is to perform crucial tasks like scaling, polishing, cleaning teeth, and removing plaque build-up and tartar. They also use fluoride treatments and sealants. By working closely with dentists, hygienists educate patients about the importance of oral hygiene, maintaining a proper diet, regular visits, and how they can protect their teeth and mouth through several products. Their significance is far beyond the maintainer of a beautiful smile. So, if you have concerns related to dental hygiene, consult with the dental hygienist.
Dental Assistant
As the name suggests, dental assistants support dentists in the procedures and help make the operation smoother. Their responsibilities include reaping the treatment process, sterilizing the instruments, offering help, and ensuring the patients have a soft treatment. Moreover, they also take care of the record for future records. Dental assistants play a vital role in increasing the comfort and experience of the patient, and their communication and organizational skills help them.
Orthodontist
They specialize in treating, preventing, and diagnosing patients’ dental and facial irregularities. They have expertise in jaw irregularities and teeth misalignments. Braces, aligners, and other appliances are tailored to remove the issues that patients are facing. Orthodontists help enhance the smile’s beauty and boost self-esteem so one cannot see the smile behind their dental problems. Consult with orthodontists if you have crooked teeth, bite problems, crowded teeth, or misaligned jaw.
Periodontist
Periodontists specialize in treating people by diagnosing and preventing gum disease and other factors that support the structure of the teeth. Scaling and root planning to treat issues like periodontal disease are some of the professional expertise of the periodontist. Periodontists also focus on maintaining gum health, helping patients manage chronic conditions, and preventing tooth loss. Their expertise is vital for keeping gums healthy and oral health and well-being.
Endodontist
The core of the endodontist is to treat root canals, as they have expertise in analyzing the condition of the mouth, infections, and the damaged pulp that affects teeth. They also perform retreatments for failed previously treated teeth and treat dental trauma. Endodontists play a crucial role in maintaining oral health and function by preserving natural teeth. Their expertise is significant for patients experiencing severe tooth pain or complications from dental injuries. For better and more effective results, they use digital imaging and microscopes.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are trained to handle numerous conditions, including head, neck, mouth, jaw, and face infections. Their profession includes wisdom tooth extraction, corrective jaw surgery, facial reconstructive procedures, etc. If someone wants to treat their jaw, which is impacted by the teeth alignments, they can approach an oral surgeon. Sometimes, dentists refer you to them if your jaw is majorly affected due to the infection in your teeth. This is also a form of cosmetic dentistry, so there is no need to hype if your dentist recommends you to visit an oral surgeon.
Pediatric Dentist
Pediatric dentists, or pedodontists, mainly focus on children’s dental care. Children need special care and calmness regarding dental hygiene, and the pediatric dentist comes into play. They are specially trained to manage young patients’ unique dental needs and behaviors, making dental visits a positive experience. They provide preventive care, cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants, and treatment for cavities and other dental issues. They educate parents and children about proper oral hygiene practices, their importance, and the early establishment of good habits. Their expertise in child development and behavior helps create a comfortable environment, fostering a lifelong positive attitude toward dental care.
Prosthodontist
Prosthodontists specialize in restoring and replacing damaged teeth, which create issues in the mouth through prosthetic treatments. By designing, building, and fitting dental prosthetics, they offer new, dazzling smiles to their patients. Their training involved additional years, which involved aesthetic restoration and teeth replacement. Working closely with dental labs, dentists, and prosthodontists ensures high-quality replacement options for beneficial outcomes. Prosthodontists play a vital role in restoring smiles and improving overall oral health. Prosthodontists play a critical role in restoring smiles and improving overall oral health.
Choose the right specialist
Dental hygiene is essential, and taking care of oral health is vital to ensure a beautiful smile is in our hands. Maintaining a proper dental process to protect teeth from any issues is the primary step that one should follow. Still, if you are looking forward to enhancing your features, choose the dental specialist that fits your needs. You can also ask your dentist, and they can recommend someone. Moreover, contact Elite Dental Group if you are looking for various treatments in one place. They have expertise in offering an eye-catching smile to their patients.