Making the decision to study dentistry is commendable. At the right time during your studies, you will need to make a decision about the area in which you desire to specialize. Your area of specialization will depend on where have a keen interest and a clear passion.
There are several areas of specialization in the career of dentistry. Some of these are mentioned below.
- General dentistry
You can choose to be a general practitioner in dentistry. These are dentists who are more of family doctors and they attend to uncomplicated conditions in their patients. These include simple cleaning, filling, repairing of cracked teeth, teeth whitening, and other such procedures that have no complications. They also advise their patients on good oral hygiene.
-
Oral and maxillofacial surgery
The dentists who specialize in this particular area deal mainly with the tissues around the mouth area. This includes the tongue, cheek, gums and soft tissues in the face area. This type of dentist will do surgery for various reasons such as to prepare the gums to hold false teeth. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons also do complicated surgeries like cleft lip surgeries and reconstructive procedures on the jaw.
-
Orthodontist
This is another area of specialization in dentistry. The main job of this type of dentist is to install braces and correct teeth that are not properly aligned. They also put in mouth guards and headgear to rectify areas where jaw or facial development needs to be corrected. The support that they put in helps the teeth to grow well.
-
Prosthodontist
These are dentists who specialize in replacing missing or decayed teeth. They deal with appliances like dentures, veneers, crowns, and bridges for cosmetic purposes. They also make sure that the teeth function well and are good for biting. Prosthodontists help to restore the patient’s smile and they ensure that the oral prostheses are customized to fit each client well.
-
Endodontist
These are dentists who specialize in handling the inner sensitive part of the tooth called the pulp. The pulp is protected by the outer enamel but it can become decayed or damaged. There are times when the pulp can be retained if it is not badly decayed. In cases where it is beyond preservation, the endodontist will perform a root canal as treatment.
-
Periodontist
Those in this area of dentistry mainly specialize in gums. They help to protect the gum against disease and inflammation. However, if an infection of the gum occurs, then they treat the disease. They also put in dental implants and perform skin grafting on the gums for cosmetic purposes.
Being a dentist demands a lot of sacrifice and commitment. You should select an area of specialization that you are passionate about. This will ensure that you do an excellent job of attending to the specific needs of your clients.
