Here at Four Bridges Family Dentistry we strive to take care of the entire family and to help you achieve the healthy smile you desire. In order to do so, we may need to refer or consult other dental specialist that we know and trust. When it comes to taking care of your teeth, here are some of the different kinds of oral health care professionals you may come across if you ever require specialized services.
General Dentists
General, or family dentists, as the primary dental provider, are vital to the continued health of your teeth. One of our key roles is preventative care, which involves scheduling regular appointments to allow for the monitoring of oral health, alongside guiding on the proper way to care for both teeth and gums.
As a general dentist we focus on diagnosing and comprehensive treatment. Restorative and protective procedures are the most common ones needed, for example, fillings, crowns, veneers, bridges, and root canals.
Orthodontists
A widely recognized process, orthodontics involves the use of braces to correct the position of the teeth. Often thought of for cosmetic reasons, but it can also be useful for helping with a bad bite or misaligned jaw, which may be causing discomfort during talking or eating.
Orthodontists, as facial growth and dental development experts can identify and correct any such issues by developing a treatment plan and making use of various types of hardware alongside braces to move and support the teeth.
Endodontist
Endodontists specialize in diagnosing and treating issues involving the inner tissue of the teeth – otherwise known as the pulp. Although this tissue is protected by the tooth’s hard enamel and an inner layer of calcified tissue known as dentin, it is still susceptible to injury, inflammation, or decay.
The most common type of treatment performed by an endodontist is a root canal. During this procedure, the nerve and pulp are removed, and the tooth is cleaned and sealed to avoid infection.
Pedodontist
Although all general dentists have a knowledge of pediatric dentistry, pedodontists, otherwise called pediatric dentists, have been specially trained to work with children from infancy to young adulthood. They are experts in some of the dental issues that are specific to children - being linked to teeth and mouth development.
Oral Pathologist
Oral pathologists differ from general dentists in that their focus is less on performing dental treatments and more on analyzing x-rays, tissues, and bone biopsies. The primary purpose of this is assessing and determining the cause of mouth and jaw diseases such as infections and cancer. Alongside diagnosis, a large part of what oral pathologists do is researching and learning more about oral diseases and their impact on the body as a whole.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are regional specialists treating the mouth, jaws, face, and skull, as well as associated structures. Patients are referred to these types of dentists when more invasive treatments are required, such as complicated tooth extractions, surgical jaw corrections, or dental implants.
Periodontist
Periodontists are dentists focused on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of any issues to do with gums. This involves supporting those suffering from gum inflammation and pain or periodontal disease - more commonly known as gum disease.