DR SHRISTY SHAW

Who is a dentist?

A dentist, or a dental surgeon, is a surgeon who specializes in dentistry, the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the human oral cavity.

What does a dentist do every day?

Dentists, or dental surgeons, diagnose and treat problems with patients’ teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth while providing advice and instruction on taking care of the teeth and gums.

They perform activities like:

• Remove decay from teeth and fill cavities
• Repair cracked or fractured teeth and remove teeth
• Place sealants or whitening agents on teeth
• Administer anesthetics
• Prescribe antibiotics or other medications
• Examine x rays of teeth, jaw, gums, and nearby areas in order to diagnose problems
• Make models and measurements for dental devices, such as dentures, to fit patients
• Teach patients about diets, flossing, the use of fluoride, and other aspects of oral care.

Why would a dentist refer you to an oral surgeon?

A dentist will normally refer to his or her patients to an oral surgeon for issues such as complex extractions, treatment of wisdom teeth, correction of congenital growth defects or if you have a complicated medical history.

What are the types of dentists?

There are six types of dental specialists that you may see during a lifetime for your oral care:

• Endodontist:  Root canal specialist

Inside our teeth are tiny cavern-like passages called canals that contain blood vessels, sensitive living tissue (pulp), and nerves, and an Endodontist specializes in diagnosing and treating issues within our tooth

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon:  Oral surgery specialist

This professional focuses on treating problems associated with the hard and soft tissues of the face, mouth, and jaw.

• Orthodontist: Alignment specialist

Orthodontics is concerned with correcting teeth and jaws that are out of position, so you may see an orthodontist if your jaw isn’t aligned properly leading to an overbite, underbite or crossbite. You may see an orthodontist if your teeth are crooked or misaligned, and in these situations, an orthodontist may use braces, palatal expanders, clear aligners, or headgear as part of your treatment plan.

• Pediatric Dentist:  Kid dental specialist

Pediatric dentists are to a child’s oral health like pediatricians are to their overall health and are the type of dentists who specialize in the oral development and care of children from infancy through their teens.

• Periodontist:  Gum specialist

Periodontal dentistry focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases that affect the gums, and other parts of our mouth that support the teeth.

• Prosthodontist:  Replacement specialist

Prosthodontists concern themselves with restoring and replacing lost or damaged teeth and have a unique understanding of everything that goes into a functional,  beautiful, and natural-looking smile. Prosthodontists specialize in porcelain veneers, dental implants, crowns, fixed bridges, dentures, and reconstructive dentistry.  In case you need dental treatment related to replacing or repairing teeth, then your dentist may recommend you visit a prosthodontist.

What is the difference between an oral surgeon and dentist?

Oral surgeons are professionals who usually spend an extra four to eight years in dental school, and usually, dentists will refer patients to oral surgeons when necessary dental work is outside their normal practice. Oral surgeons (or maxillofacial surgeons) specialize in dental implants, facial pain, jaw joint disorders, and surgery like wisdom teeth removal.

Some other surgeries performed by oral surgeons are simple tooth removals, complex tooth removals that include bone, impacted tooth removal,  implant alignment soft tissue removal, and removal of tumors.

What are the diseases treated by a dentist?

• Tooth Decay
• Sensitive Teeth
• Gum Disease
• Periodontal-problems: “Long” teeth, Discolored or deteriorating tooth structure, Gum depressions, Infected gum line, and Tooth loss or tooth movement.
• Bad Breath (Halitosis)
• Canker Sores
• Orthodontic Problems
• Yellow Teeth
• Tooth Erosion
• Mouth Sores
• Toothaches