What is General Dentistry?

General dentists are the main dental care providers to people of all ages. They provide routine checkups, examinations, and cleanings. Their services are geared toward cleaning, restoration, and disease prevention. Depending on your mouth’s condition, they may refer you to a specialist.

The most common dental care providers are general dentists, who comprise about 80 percent of practitioners. The other 20 percent consists of:

• Endodontists
• Orthodontists
• Pediatric dentists
• Periodontists
• Prosthodontists

Endodontists: Root Canal & Dental Pulp Specialists

Endodontists treat oral health issues related to the dental pulp, which contains the tissues, blood vessels, and nerves of the teeth. These dentists are often called “root canal specialists” because they perform many root canals per week.

As caries (cavities) grow, they get closer to the pulp, leading to an infection or a serious pulpal disease. Even small cavities and trauma-related dental issues can release toxins into the dental pulp. Once the dental pulp becomes infected, you may need a root canal to save the tooth.

During root canal treatment, an endodontist removes the infected dental pulp in the roots of a tooth. Then, the tooth is restored with a dental crown. General dentists also perform root canals, but not as often as endodontists.

Orthodontists and Dentofacial Orthopedists: Tooth & Jaw Misalignment Experts

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that focuses on treating misaligned teeth, crooked teeth, and jaw misalignment (malocclusion) issues. They specialize in fixing bite issues, such as an excessive overbite, underbite, or open bite.

The most common orthodontic treatment is braces, typically for children and adolescents with newly erupted permanent teeth. Braces, including traditional metal braces and clear braces, are made of individual brackets and metal wires. Clear aligners, also called invisible aligners, are becoming increasingly popular. They are thin, customized plastic trays that move teeth.

Paedodontists: Children and Adolescent Dental Experts

Pediatric dentists are similar to general dentists because they offer a wide range of dental services and treatment options. These dentists treat babies, children, and adolescents rather than adults. They also offer specialized treatment for sick or disabled children.

Prosthodontists: Dental Restoration and Tooth Replacement Experts

Prosthodontists specialize in restorative dentistry. More specifically, they specialize in tooth replacement procedures and the placement of dental restorations. Tooth loss from severe tooth decay is the most common reason for dental restorations. People with damaged, cracked, or discolored teeth are also candidates for dental restorations.

Dentures are the most common restorative treatment prosthodontists offer. They are recommended when someone loses all or some of their natural teeth. Dentures help fill out the facial profile and make it easier to chew and speak.

Periodontists: Periodontal & Dental Implant Specialists

A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease (a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth, also known as gum disease), and in the placement of dental implants. Periodontists receive extensive training in both of these areas and more, including three additional years of education beyond dental school.

Implantologists

An implantologist differs from a general dentist in that they often have focused training, more education, a different level of credentials, and more experience with this kind of highly specialized dental surgery. The definition of an implantologist is a dental expert who places dental implants.