Different Types of Dentists

In the dental field, there are numerous professionals whose responsibility it is to help us with our oral health. And while many people never need to visit an oral surgeon or endodontist, many others do benefit from the wide variety of doctors who assist us in caring for our mouths. Because even though dentists are capable of dealing with a myriad of health problems that
happen in your mouth, specialists have additional training and sometimes equipment that your dentist may not have. Whether you live in Greensboro or Liberty or Ramseur, you may have had occasion to seek dental treatment beyond a regular cleaning or a filling for a cavity or two. If you, like many others, have needed help with wisdom teeth, trauma damage, implants, misalignment, or disease you may have encountered one of the following:

Orthodontists: Orthodontists are well known for correcting misaligned teeth and jaws using braces, aligners, and other orthodontic appliances to improve dental and facial aesthetics. Some of these procedures may be avoided by early intervention and helping teeth to come into the mouth properly instead of correcting alignment after the fact. Insurance will often cover orthodontic procedures for minors.

Periodontists: Periodontists focus on diagnosing, preventing, and treating diseases of the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. Our risk of gum disease increases as we age and over 50% of the US population age 30 and over suffers from at least some form of the disease. Endodontists: Endodontists specialize in treating diseases and injuries of the dental pulp and perform procedures like root canal therapy. Depending on the severity of the issue, they may also be able to help if there has been trauma to the tooth (chips, cracks, and breaks, as well as teeth which have been dislodged entirely).

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons: These professionals are dental specialists who perform surgical procedures involving the face, jaw, and oral structures, including complex tooth extractions, jaw realignment, and dental implant placements. These professionals are also helpful if there has been major trauma (think sports injuries or car accidents).

Oral Pathologists: Oral pathologists study and diagnose diseases that affect the mouth, such as oral cancer and other oral tissue abnormalities.

Oral Medicine Specialists: These professionals diagnose and manage conditions that affect the oral and maxillofacial regions, such as oral mucosal disorders and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.

Pediatric Dentists: Pediatric dentists specialize in providing dental care for children and adolescents, including preventive care, early orthodontic evaluation, and treatments tailored to pediatric patients. Many patients with special needs visit pediatric dentists as these professionals are often experienced with patients who may have sensory difficulties or need additional help getting through dental procedures.

At Liberty Dentistry we take pride in offering a wide range of services including implants with or without bone grafts, root canals, and invisible braces in addition to many other general and specialized procedures. Contact us today to learn more about how we’re helping our patients access all of the services they need.