Dentistry offers a variety of specialized jobs beyond the typical teeth cleaning and cavity filling. Endodontists focus on root canals, pediatric dentists work with children, periodontists specialize in gums, and orthodontists align teeth and jaws. Maxillofacial surgeons can perform surgeries on the mouth and jaw.
When one thinks of a dentist, the image that is usually conjured up is of a person who cleans teeth and drills out cavities. While these dentist jobs are perhaps the most common, there are many other jobs in dentistry that are more specialized. An endodontist, for example, is a dentist who specializes in root canals and other procedures that deal with the root of a tooth. After a visit to the dentist, the patient may be referred to an endodontist who can deal with the more complex problem occurring with the tooth.
Other dentist jobs are less specialized but still more focused than a general practitioner. Some dentist jobs, for example, focus on a specific segment of the population. A pediatric dentist focuses exclusively on dental work for children. He or she will monitor the growth of teeth and gums as the children grow, and the pediatric dentist will develop a routine to comfort the children during regular, sometimes stressful, visits. These dentist jobs usually require a gentle touch, a pleasant demeanor, and an interest in working with children of a wide age range. Most pediatric dentists work with children from birth to age 18.
Periodontists are specialists who deal with the gums, which can affect the proper health and growth of the teeth. Again, a general dentist will often be the first line of dental examination, and if a problem arises, that dentist will refer the patient to the periodontist. These specialist dentist jobs require as much schooling and experience as general practitioner jobs, but the specialist chooses to focus on a specific area to better serve patients more efficiently and quickly.
An orthodontist is a dentist who specializes in straightening or aligning the teeth and jaw. A patient may find themselves at an orthodontist to have braces or a retainer installed in order to straighten crooked teeth that may be causing pain or discomfort. An orthodontist can also address issues with the human jaw, such as misalignment that can lead to swelling and pain. Sometimes the orthodontist deals with patients who have broken a jaw and therefore the jaw needs to be closed to promote healing. Maxillofacial surgeons can perform this procedure as well as other operations on the mouth or jaw.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
