When people think of a dentist, they generally think of the individual they go to in order to have their teeth cleaned. Many individuals work in this field, however, and specialize in different areas. In the event the dentist cannot handle a task, as he or she feels it goes beyond their knowledge and skill level, they often refer patients to one of these individuals. Following are some professionals in the field a person may see to obtain the best oral care possible. Oral And Maxillofacial Surgeons Oral and maxillofacial surgeons spend years training to operate on the mouth, face and jaws. They attend dental school alongside other individuals working in the dental field, then continue on to complete anywhere from four to seven years of surgical …show more content…
To work as a periodontist, an individual must complete three years beyond their dental school training and must stayed informed on the latest techniques for treating patients. In addition, they train to perform cosmetic periodontal procedures. Many individuals receive treatment from their general dentist for these issues, yet severe gum disease requires a visit to this specialist, and the same is true for those who have complex medical issues. Periodontists perform many procedures, including root planing and scaling, and can perform surgery on the gums, when …show more content…
The training emphasizes the management and treatment of teeth as they develop, along with the physical growth and development of children and their behavior. Although all dentists have the skills needed to treat a child's teeth, the pediatric dentist is focused on the care of the child and ensuring he or she remains at ease throughout the treatment process. In addition, pediatric dentists are often called on to treat adults with special needs, those who have yet to advance mentally, physically or emotionally past the childhood years, even if their chronological age means they are legally an adult. The dentist works with the parent or caregiver to ensure they understand how to help the child care for their teeth and encourage good oral care habits at all