Though we often hear about general dentists, the reality is specific dental health problems require a specific type of dentist. Dental specialists provide advanced solutions to more nuanced problems affecting a person’s oral health. A Canberra dentist knowledgeable in dental surgery, for example, is authorised to perform intricate procedures. Such authority isn’t vested among general practitioners, however.

For complicated dental requirements, your best recourse would be to see a specialist instead. Below we list down these dental professionals:

1) General Dentist

If you are not troubled with more specific dental concerns, you can leave your basic oral health care to a general dentist. This dental professional examines, treats, manages and maintains primary dental problems. Tooth pain, missing teeth, crown placement, cleaning, extraction, putting in dental fillings, and preventive care—these are just some of the services a general dentist offers. For more complex dental issues beyond their capacity to solve, general dentists may refer you to a specialist who is more equipped to provide adequate diagnosis and treatment.

2) Periodontist

Periodontists are concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of your gums. From serious gum issues like treating gum diseases, swelling, bleeding and chronic pain to implant installation and skin grafting surgery, this dental professional will handle advanced gum-related problems. They are always on the lookout for signs of periodontitis to ensure infections would not escalate to the point of tooth loss or severe health complications. When working with general dentists, they often provide advice on prevention and treatment plans suitable to patients’ lifestyles.

3) Endodontist

For these dental professionals, the scope of their work mainly revolves around the inner part of the tooth that is protected by the enamel (tooth surface) as well as the dentin (located beneath the gum line, also known as the ‘pulp’). Endodontists examine and provide solutions related to this tissue. They handle injured, inflamed, or decayed pulp that needs immediate treatment or removal. If it is possible to preserve the tooth through treatment, this dental professional would offer such an option to patients. However, in the worst case scenario, they would require you to undergo root canal therapy, a common procedure that involves removing the pulp and cleaning the canals of the infected tooth.

4) Prosthodontists

Natural teeth restoration and missing teeth replacement are the focus of this specialist. Unlike general dentists, they handle these functions on a deeper and more advanced level. They also measure and install dentures and crowns to replace a patient’s missing or extracted teeth. You can also avail of other services like rehabilitation from head and neck deformities caused by misaligned teeth or bruxism (excessive teeth grinding). Synthetic substitutes will be utilised to create the missing parts.

5) Pediatric Dentists

More popularly called “children’s dentists,” these dental professionals are in-charge of children’s oral health care and maintenance. During the time of their first tooth sprout, your child requires monitoring and extra care. The pediatric category extends to teenagers up to the age of 18, so you can expect pediatric dentists to continue guiding their patients from childhood to past the age of puberty. Preventive care is just as important to kids as extractions, teeth cleaning and hygiene, fillings (for those with permanent teeth) and, in some cases, dental surgery. Canberra children’s dentists offer this service, which requires regular trips to their clinic.

There are several other professionals in the field of dentistry, but knowing the specialists aforementioned is a good start. Whenever you are plagued with a specific oral health issue, you will know which dental expert to approach and set an appointment with.