3 Main Types Of Dentists

Every person should see a dentist at least once a year to get a cleaning and make sure their gums and teeth are healthy. Having a mouth infection can be very dangerous which is why it is important to make an appointment. Depending on the situation you are in, there will be different mouth doctors that you need to choose from to fit your needs.

General Dentist

A general dentist is who you go to when you don’t have anything specifically wrong with your mouth. When you are a child this will be a specific pediatric dentist and as you grow older it will switch. That is because children’s teeth and gums are different from adults. Some of the main things a general dentist will do at an appointment are cleanings, fillings, and crowns. These are all basic services that only take a small amount of time and usually do not require any anesthesia. If there is a more serious problem going on in your mouth, then your general dentist will refer you to a specialist.

Orthodontist

Many people have seen an orthodontist in their lifetime. This is because orthodontists deal directly with how your teeth are aligned with a goal to correct whatever that mistake may be. Many young adults have crooked teeth or other jaw problems that cause not only pain but cosmetic distress as well. A popular way to fix these issues is braces. Braces are not the most comfortable solution but usually the most effective. People need to wear these metal fixtures in their mouths anywhere from a few months to a few years.

Endodontist

A general dentist will often refer people to an endodontist because they are having tooth pain that is not able to be treated with getting a cleaning or filling. A common procedure that endodontists perform is root canals. When receiving a root canal the patient is usually given laughing gas or numbing medication that prevents them from feeling anything. The root of the tooth can be extremely sensitive.

Figuring out which kind of dentist you need to go to can be overwhelming. The reason why different there are different kinds out there is that the mouth is complex and there are many issues that can happen within it. Because of this, there are different doctors who specialize in one or two of those things so that they can make sure they have mastered it.