Whether you are a child or an adult, there are many different types of dentists you can choose from. These include Prosthodontists, Periodontists, Public health dentists, and Orthodontists.
General dentists
Having excellent oral hygiene is essential for everyone’s health. Visiting a dentist for a regular checkup can prevent serious dental problems.
General dentists provide a wide variety of services. They can treat dental trauma, provide cosmetic treatments, and offer preventive care. In addition to regular cleanings, they may perform dentures, dental implants, and root canals.
General dentist Adelaide is considered primary care dental provider. Patients are usually referred to a specialist if they require complex treatment. In addition, they may be referred to an endodontist specializing in root canal treatment.
General dentists perform routine exams to detect problems with the teeth and gums. They can also recommend fluoride treatments and dental sealants. In addition to these services, they can recommend using a mouth guard for patients at risk for dental problems.
The Academy of General Dentistry sponsors quality education courses throughout the country. As a result, many dentists have earned the Academy Fellowship Award, recognizing them as professional leaders. To qualify for the Fellowship Award, a dentist must be a member of the Academy for five years and complete 500 credit hours of continuing education. They must also pass a 400-question examination.
Dental care is a “hands-on” practice. It means that both dentists and patients need to participate in treatment planning and treatment options. It can mean you can save time and money by reversing dental problems before they become serious.
Many general dentists are also experts in orthodontic treatment. The jaw and teeth are aligned during this procedure to improve your smile. A variety of general dentists also offer cosmetic services to enhance your smile.
Orthodontists
Whether you are looking to improve your smile or need a little help with a wonky bite, an orthodontist can help. These dentists are trained to manipulate your teeth, jaw, and facial features to give you a great smile.
While these dentists can handle many issues, their primary focus is maintaining a healthy mouth and teeth. These professionals will perform routine cleanings, take care of x-rays and treat gum disease. They may also refer you to a specialist if you have a more significant concern.
Orthodontists focus on the alignment of your teeth and may use braces to help. They can also help correct overbites and underbites. Depending on your specific condition, they may recommend several methods to straighten your teeth, including braces, Invisalign, and other tools.
While most dentists handle most dental issues, an orthodontist will be more qualified to deal with more complex problems. An orthodontist is trained to identify issues that can cause problems in the long run. These problems include a misaligned bite, crowded teeth, overbites, and gaps.
These dentists also work in cosmetic dentistry practices. They are trained to help patients with tooth whitening, veneers, bridges, and dentures. They can also treat gum disease, tooth decay, cleft lip and palate, jaw pain, and cracked teeth.
If you have a misaligned bite or an overbite, an orthodontist can help. Getting the proper treatment can increase your confidence and improve your oral health.
Periodontists
Having a periodontist at a dentist is an essential part of dental care. A periodontist specializes in diagnosing and treating soft tissue problems in the mouth. In addition, they can perform gum depigmentation, regenerative bone grafting, and dental implant placement.
Gums are the soft tissue that surrounds your teeth. They protect the bone underneath and provide a seal to keep your teeth in place. A periodontist should treat gums that have receded, become sensitive, or are bleeding.
Periodontists can treat both severe and mild cases of gum disease. In addition, they can perform jaw bone surgery and flap surgery. They can also recommend replacement implants. Depending on the severity of your gum problems, you may need a gum or bone graft.
Periodontists can also perform cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. A smile lift, for example, involves the removal of the gums and bone to enhance the appearance of your smile. They can also recommend veneers or combine the procedure with other cosmetic services.
Periodontists also perform non-surgical procedures like scaling and root planing, which remove plaque and tartar on the teeth’s roots. This procedure is also called “deep cleaning.” It can be paired with antimicrobial medicines.
Periodontists are also experts at placing dental implants. Dental implants are a quick and painless way to replace missing teeth, and they involve titanium mounting pegs in the jaw.
Periodontists are also trained to identify and treat cancerous cells in the gums. During your appointment, the periodontist will review your medical and dental histories to assess whether or not you have a condition that affects your oral health. In addition, they may take x-rays to examine the bone below the gum line.
The periodontist also performs soft tissue grafting. It involves grafting tissue from another mouth part into the area where gums have receded. It allows the graft to regenerate and bond with your teeth.
Public health dentists
Taking on the role of a Public Health Dentist is a great way to make dental care accessible to all. Public health dentists can educate the community about good oral health practices and how to prevent disease. They also advocate for policies that improve the dental health of the population.
Public health dentists can work in academic, local, state, or federal settings. Most of the time, these professionals are found in vulnerable communities. Some of the tasks and duties of these professionals include conducting studies, educating the public about oral health issues, administering drugs in injectable form, and performing analyses on the effects of COVID-19. They may also provide educational programs and reduced-cost dental clinics.
Those working in dental public health need to be well-versed in the latest trends in oral health care. They also need to be able to handle complex issues that may arise during their career. Among the most important tasks they may carry out are assessing the oral health of a population, researching oral health trends, and developing and implementing new policies.
Another important aspect of this job is its role in preventing HIV/AIDS. It’s essential to recognize that the prevalence of oral diseases in poorer communities is mainly preventable. Untreated dental infections can cause serious health problems. A public health dentist’s most important function is to inform the community about HIV/AIDS and other health-related issues.
To become a public health dentist Adelaide, you need a bachelor’s degree and a state license. You may also need to complete an internship in the field during your dental schooling.
Aside from the skills mentioned above, dentists also need to know how to work with people. They must maintain and organize records, attend meetings, and manage initiatives. They also need to know how to keep their mental health when working with others.