The dental field includes a broad spectrum of different professional doctors who specialize in different aspects of your dental health. If you need dental care, its important to understand the differences between the types of physicians who provide dental treatment so that you can find the correct specialist. Below is an explanation of the treatments each specialist is an expert in performing.
A periodontist specializes in the health and treatment of the gums, focusing on preventing, diagnosing, and treating gum disease like gingivitis. Periodontists may also place dental fillings and perform cosmetic skin grafting treatments to gum tissue. They routinely work with dentists to provide preventative treatment plans to patients.
When a patient has damaged, missing, or decayed teeth, a prosthodontist will be the one to provide oral prosthetics such as bridges, crowns, and tooth implants. Prosthodontists also perform veneer applications and will ensure patients can bite and chew effectively with their new dental prosthetics.
Maxillofacial and oral surgeons specialize in the treatment of the hard and soft tissues in the face around the mouth. These professionals typically perform more invasive treatments than other dental health professionals. They often work with the cheeks, tongue, gums, lips, hard palate, and soft palate. Patients who need procedures like cleft palate repairs, complex tooth extractions, or surgical jaw corrections will likely see oral surgeons for treatment.