Resources About Cosmetic Dentistry: Dental Specialties
Dental Specialties
Generally, three or more years of undergraduate
education plus four years of dental school is required to graduate and become a general
dentist (DDS or DMD). State licensing boards accept either degree as equivalent,
and both degrees allow licensed individuals to practice the same scope of general
dentistry. Additional post-graduate training is required to become a dental specialist,
such as an orthodontist, periodontist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
Oral and maxillofacial surgery is the specialty of dentistry which
includes the diagnosis and surgical treatment of diseases, injuries and defects involving
both the functional and esthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the oral and
maxillofacial region.
Orthodontics is the area of dentistry concerned with the supervision,
guidance and correction of the growing or mature dental structures. This includes
conditions requiring movement/correction of teeth which are not correctly aligned,
involving adjustment of relationships between and among teeth and facial bones.
Responsibilities of orthodontic practice include the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment
of all forms of misalignment of the teeth and associated alterations in their surrounding
structures, including the design, application and control of functional and corrective
appliances.
Periodontics is the specialty of dentistry which encompasses the
prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the supporting and surrounding tissues
of the teeth (gums) or their substitutes and the maintenance of the health, function and
esthetics of these structures and tissues.
Prosthodontics is the branch of dentistry pertaining to the restoration
and maintenance of oral functions, comfort, appearance and health of a patient by the
restoration of natural teeth and/or the replacement of missing teeth and tissues with
artificial substitutes.
Next: What is a good
dental relationship?
- A helpful tooth chart.
- Which dental specialties perform which dental procedures.
- What to look for in a good dental relationship.
- What can be done to stop tooth decay.
- Learn what Halitosis is and what you can do about it.
- General oral hygiene information for that great new smile.
- Learn to understand and manage fears of pain or gagging
- Sleep through dental procedures.
- Glossary of dental terms
- Useful links that will be helpful to you while you're doing your research
- A list of Dental Schools
- A checklist will help you to find the right cosmetic dentist for you.
