Similar to your primary care physician, your dentist is your go-to doctor for all of your oral health needs and questions. If you need to have heart surgery, your primary care physician will refer you to a cardiologist.The same with General Dentists, they not only manage your oral health, but also refer you to Specialists for further care when necessary. They can do many procedures such as preventative care, checkups and cleanings, fillings and root canals, but are they also able to perform dental surgery? In certain dental practices you can receive both general dentistry and specialized dental procedures from specialists as well.
Some of the most specialized dental professions are pediatric dentists, prosthodontists, oral surgeons and orthodontists. The full official title for oral surgeons are “Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons”, meaning that they have studied the mouth and jaw extensively. There is at least four years of post graduate course work required, including a hospital surgical residency program. They often deal with procedures involving the mouth, jaw, gum and teeth for both cosmetic and structural purposes. Some of the most common procedures they perform are relating to issues with the neck, gums, soft tissue structures, cyst removals, wisdom teeth and TMJs. In addition, they often deal with the removal of dangerous tumors which can develop in the mouth.
Endodontists are specialists who are experts in the dental “pulp” which is the soft tissue located between the outermost enamel and dentin area. They most frequently perform root canal therapy.
Prosthodontists undergo additional training in the study of tooth restoration. They specialize in the placement and maintenance of crowns, prosthetics, bridges and dentures. They often work in conjunction with maxillofacial surgeons to help patients who have undergone severe trauma to the mouth and face or severe tooth decay.
A periodontist is a specialist who can help you maintain the longevity of your teeth, and if you are missing teeth can replace them with dental implants. They specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease (the disease / infection of the supporting structures of teeth), and in replacement of teeth with dental implants. Periodontists are also experts in the treatment of oral inflammation.The procedures they most often perform are deep cleaning procedures, also known as root planing, bone graft procedures, and dental implants.
At Dental Specialists of Niles we offer both general dentistry as well as several specialities under the same roof. By having further training in these dental specialities it enables our dentists to have a broader knowledge and higher level of skill applied to general dentistry as well.
Contact Dental Specialists of Niles at (847) 685-6686 for any of your dental needs.
