Our Guide to the Types of Dental Specialists - What to Know

The dental industry has a variety of specialists who undergo further education to treat a certain aspect of one’s oral health. A dental specialist handles different dental procedures depending on their specialty. Every patient has a different dental issue, but not all types of a dentist can effectively address each issue. To know whether you might need a periodontitis or cosmetic dentists, read ahead to get to know the right type of dentist for you.

Periodontists

A dentist who specialises in treating and diagnosing gum disease is called periodontists. As the name implies, these specialists treat periodontitis, which is the medical term for severe gum disease. In periodontitis, bacteria will start to infect the surface beneath the gumline until it reaches the other parts of the teeth, such as the bone and roots. When it starts to attack the roots, the patient will also start to feel a severe toothache.

To treat severe gum disease, periodontists resort to either nonsurgical and surgical procedures. Some of these procedures include dental scaling, root planing, deep pocket cleanings, and gingival flap procedures. However, when gum disease becomes more severe, your periodontist can resort to gum or bone grafting. In most cases, specialists prescribe antibiotics to eliminate bacteria that may hide under the gum’s surface completely.

The symptoms of gum disease may vary per patient. It is often undiagnosed because victims of gum disease rarely feel pain. Therefore, you must always have your oral health checked regularly by your dentist. If you think you have symptoms of sensitive teeth, ask your dentist to clear you for gum disease. If the case is significant, your general dentist might refer you to a periodontist as soon as possible.

Cosmetic Dentists

The aim of cosmetic dentistry is to improve the aesthetics of one’s teeth. To achieve a perfect smile, cosmetic dentists perform dental treatments, such as dental bonding, clear aligners, and dental implants. More common treatments include veneers, crowns, and tooth whitening.

Many people undergo cosmetic dental procedures to increase their self-confidence. However, a perfect-looking smile does not assure the overall health of one’s teeth. Some cosmetic treatments can also have adverse effects on one’s oral health. When this happens, a periodontist is the best specialist to take care of the case.

Conclusion

As a patient, you may find it hard to determine the right specialist for you. To help you with the right decision, feel free to ask your general dentist what he or she recommends regarding your dental issue. A general dentist may be able to help you with your concern depending on the scope of the procedure. If the case becomes severe, your dentist can refer to either a periodontitis or cosmetic dentists.

If you are looking for a dentist in Ypsilanti Mi, get in touch with us today to see how we can help.