Dental Specialist: Importance & Types

Regular dental appointments with your dentist are crucial to maintaining good oral health. But what happens when you need more dental help than what your general dentist can provide? Fortunately, for more complicated or severe dental issues, specialty trained dentists are available to give you the particular care you need.

If you have a specific dental problem, such as deep tooth decay or extensive gum disease, your dentist may refer you to a dental specialist who is well-equipped to provide you with excellent, targeted care. A dental specialist is a dentist with additional training in a particular field of dentistry.

Understanding Dental Specialties

As the saying goes, "A Jack of all trades is master to none," which is also true for dentists. Dentistry covers a wide range of practices, from orthodontics to oral surgery. To give every patient the very best oral care available, dentists specialize in a particular field of dentistry so they can master the techniques and provide thorough, expert care.

While a general dentist evaluates, diagnoses, and treats a myriad of dental problems and is often the first professional to identify your need for more specialized care, dental specialists can give you treatment for more moderate to severe dental issues.  

Types of Dental Specialties

When people use the term "dentist" many often refer to a general dentist. All dental professionals undergo the same dental education; however, dental specialists continue training in a specific field. 

Whether you need braces for your teeth or intensive gum disease treatment, you can visit a dental specialist who is trained for your specific dental needs. Different types of dentists include: 

Orthodontics

An orthodontist primarily focuses on tooth alignment and jaw irregularities. Whether your teeth come in spaced out or over-crowded or you suffer from an overbite, underbite, or crossbite, an orthodontist is specially trained to correct these issues. Children, adolescents, and adults benefit from orthodontic treatment because properly aligned teeth are easier to keep clean. While orthodontics makes your teeth more attractive, this field of dentistry is also important for keeping your teeth healthy.

Periodontics

The treatment of gum disease and all the supporting bone structures that are crucial for healthy teeth fall under periodontics. Gum disease affects your gums and can lead to tooth or bone loss if not treated. A general dentist can help with minor treatments, but if the gum disease persists, a periodontist may need to perform surgery on your gums to improve outcomes. A periodontist can also do tissue grafts when the gums recede, as well as they also place dental implants.

Endodontics

When tooth decay eats through your tooth's enamel and dentin layers, you may need a root canal. This is where endodontics comes in. The pulp at the center of the tooth holds the tooth's nerve. If you are experiencing tooth pain from a cavity, it is often because bacteria has infected the nerve. Endodontists specialize in root canals and cleaning out dead or infected tissue at the center of your tooth and scaling the nerve space.

Oral Surgery 

While a general dentist pulls teeth when needed, an oral surgeon is called upon when more factors are involved than just tooth removal. When wisdom teeth are impacted in the gums, an oral surgeon can extract the tooth, even cutting through gum or bone to remove it. Oral surgeons also perform dental implant procedures.

Oral surgeons are a step closer to medical specialists such as ear, nose, and throat doctors. They can help with cancers of the neck and head and treat illnesses such as sleep apnea. 

When To See a Specialist

Knowing when to see a dental specialist depends on whether you can identify your dental problem. One easily identifiable issue is crooked or crowded teeth needing an orthodontist. If you or your child requires braces, you can seek orthodontic treatment without having to be referred by your general or family dentist. 

But with other oral issues, the need for a dental specialist may not be as clear. If you have tooth pain, you may be unable to tell if the pain is coming from inside your tooth or the inflamed gums surrounding your tooth. Seeing your dentist is often the first step to getting the treatment you need. If your dentist acknowledges that your dental issue needs more specialized skills, they will refer you to the appropriate specialist. 

Dental Insurance Coverage for Specialists

If you have dental insurance, it is crucial for you to know if you are covered for more than routine cleanings with your dentist and if you can see a dental specialist with or without a dentist's referral. Some insurance plans require a referral from your dentist, or the treatment will not be covered. 

Once you are referred by your general dentist, you should make sure the specialist is within your plan's network. 

How To Find the Right Specialist

If you need a dental specialist, there are a few ways to find the right one for you. If you already have a trusted dentist, their opinion may be just what you need to find a specialist that fits your needs. Otherwise, you may have to search online for the right specialist for your dental issue. 

•             Referral: You may get a referral for a dental specialist from your dentist or even your doctor. This is an excellent time to discuss your concerns or challenges so you get referred to the right specialist. Concerns about cost, location, methods, and appointment availability may direct your dentist to refer you to a different specialist in the field of dentistry that you need.

•             Online directories: Directories, such as that at Smile Generation, are a fast and easy way to locate a dental specialist close to you. If you have explored your dental insurance stipulations, you can determine if the specialist you have located online is covered by your insurance. You can also discover types of available technology or specific philosophies from each specialist's website. 

•             Professional organizations: Going to trusted organizations, such as the American Dental Association (ADA), can help direct you to the right dental specialist to meet your dental needs. For specialist associations, you can explore the following organizations:

–            For orthodontics: American Association of Orthodontics.

–            For endodontics: American Association of Endodontics.

–            For periodontics: The American Board of Periodontology.

–            For oral surgery: American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

The Importance of Dental Specialist

Dental specialists help patients with specific problems that are beyond a general dentist's expertise. Yet so much of your oral health still relies on your relationship with your dentist. Regular dental appointments not only provide cleanings that keep your teeth healthy and prevent future problems, but it is also an important check to see if you need more specialized care. Find the right specialist for you using Smile Generation's Find a Dentist tool.  

How to Choose a Dentist, ADA, May 31, 2024, https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/dental-care-concerns/how-to-choose-a-dentist

4 Reasons Why Choosing the Right Orthodontist Matters, AAO, May 31, 2024, https://aaoinfo.org/resources/how-to-choose-an-orthodontist/

Our Natural Teeth are Worth Saving, AAE, May 31, 2024, https://www.aae.org/patients/

Find a Board Certified Periodontist, ABP, May 31, 2024, https://www.abperio.org/general-public/find-board-certified-periodontist

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, OMS, May 31, 2024, https://myoms.org/