In the United States, the American Dental Association recognizes certain specialties in the field of dentistry. With care standards advancing and patients demanding more comprehensive dental care than ever before, growing your dental practice with different specialties in dentistry is important.
In this article, we’ll list and elaborate on nine of these specialties.
9 Different Specialties in Dentistry
- Dental Anesthesiology
Anesthesiologists specialize in managing pain and maintaining patient sedation and overall health during dental procedures. Their role is critical to ensuring comfort and safety before, during, and after operations. Their presence allows for universal access to dental care, particularly in vulnerable patients with special health needs.
- Endodontics
- Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
- Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Periodontics
- Prosthodontics
Endodontics focuses on treating diseases inside the tooth, employing procedures such as root canal therapy. The field requires an intimate knowledge of the inner anatomy of the teeth, including the pulp canal, pulp chamber, root, nerves, and blood vessels.
Oral pathologists study the way that oral diseases occur, progress, and affect the oral cavity. Their critical role allows them to provide diagnoses that other specialists depend on for accurate and effective treatment.
A radiologist trains to use X-rays and other radiation techniques to diagnose and treat diseases and disorders that affect the oral cavity. Their special training permits them to use radioactive materials and radiation sources.
Oral surgeons train specifically in performing the diagnosis and surgical procedures associated with treating conditions affecting the jaws and peripheral oral structures. This is a complex field that requires a deep knowledge of maxillofacial anatomy and pathology.
Orthodontics is a practice rooted in ancient history that has continually advanced along with the science of dentistry. It aims to correct and prevent malocclusion of the teeth and other dentofacial incongruities. This improves patients’ oral health while satisfying their cosmetic demands.
As the name implies, this field of dentistry concerns itself with child and adolescent dental care. It focuses on the issues that affect this particular age group, such as tooth decay, the correction of tooth and jaw positions, and education on diet and hygiene.
This specialty is concerned with diagnosing, treating, and preventing conditions and diseases affecting the periodontal tissues. Gum disease is often overlooked and can progress towards causing tooth loss in adults; periodontists focus on treatment techniques that can control bacterial growth and regenerate soft tissues.
Prosthodontists specialize in maintaining patients’ oral health and comfort using prosthetic devices. These can include fixed replacement teeth or removable appliances to treat a wide variety of conditions, such as a cleft palate or maxillofacial trauma.
Conclusion
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