Seven Different Types of Dentists

When you think of a dentist, chances are, you think of a general family dentists who performs your regular cleanings and checkups. But that is just one specialty in the field of dentistry. From performing complicated oral surgeries to fixing misaligned teeth to creating dentures and cosmetic dental fixtures, there are many types of dentists who are passionate about helping you achieve the best oral health. 

Seven Types of Dentists

  1. General Dentists

A general dentist takes care of your mouth on a regular basis.  General dentists monitor your oral health and are able to help guide you if you need extensive dental surgery, orthodonture, or dentures. Their work primarily revolves around preventative oral care. This includes:

  • Dental cleanings
  • X-rays
  • Patient education
  • Repairing cracked or chipped teeth
  • Teeth whitening

2. Orthodontists

Orthodontists specialize in facial and dental irregularities. Typically known as dentists who install braces, orthodontists’ care extends much further. They are responsible for correcting misaligned teeth, jaw bones, and facial structures. Sometimes this includes designing custom headgear, retainers, facemasks, Invisalign®, or other appliances to correct your smile. 

3. Endodontist

Endodontists specialize in endodontic therapy which is used to maintain the teeth. This type of dental specialists most commonly performs root canals. Root canals are necessary when the inside of the tooth (the pulp) becomes damaged, inflamed, or rotten through injury or decay and needs to be removed. 

4. Pedodontist

A pedodontist (or pediatric dentist) specializes in dental care for children. They are similar to general dentists, but are trained to handle behavioural issues while treating children and adolescents.  Children require more hands-on care when it comes to dentistry, since they have not yet established a healthy oral care routine. 

5. Oral Pathologist

Oral pathologists study the different causes of diseases that occur in the mouth that affect the jaw, lips, teeth, and cheek structures. If you have abnormal coloring on your gums or growths inside your mouth that are visible on an X-ray, pathologists will often biopsy the affected area and test for underlying diseases or conditions that are harmful. If the structures of your mouth are infected, damaged, or diseased, the rest of your body can suffer. 

6. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform any type of surgery that involve the mouth. Oral surgeons lay the groundwork for future dental work, as they improve bone structures, teeth, and other cosmetic features that are required before any other dental procedures can occur. 

Oral surgeons perform these types of procedures: 

  • Tooth extractions
  • Reconstructive surgeries
  • Cleft palate or cleft lip surgeries
  • Biospies
  • Tissue extractions
  • Facial infections
  • Sleep apnea treatments
  • Surgical jaw corrections

7. Periodontist

Periodontists focus on preventing, diagnosing, and treating various gum diseases and conditions. If you notice gum sensitivity or bleeding during brushing and flossing, a periodontist will help diagnose and treat your issue. They are also responsible for treating extreme gum disease (periodontal disease), installing dental implants, and performing cosmetic skin grafting on gums. Periodontists often work with general dentists on creating comprehensive prevention and treatments plans for their patients. 

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Tooth Sensitivity & How to Prevent It

Tooth sensitivity is common, and many patients have discomfort that is associated with temperature. But your teeth can be sensitive to many other factors that your mouth may encounter on a daily basis. Sensitivity to sugar, acid, brushing and flossing are just a few. But you don’t have to suffer if you have sensitive teeth.  

Below is a compilation of things that cause sensitivity and ways you can prevent your teeth from aching. 

Causes of Tooth Sensitivity

People with sensitive teeth report certain triggers that worsen their pain and discomfort. Pain can be a dull ache or a throbbing, sharp pain. You may feel the pain on a surface level of your teeth or at the root of your teeth. 

Common triggers include: 

  • Tooth decay/cavities
  • Worn enamel
  • Gum disease or infection
  • Exposed tooth root
  • Over-brushing
  • Acidic foods
  • Cracked or chipped teeth

How to Prevent & Treat Tooth Sensitivity

When you experience tooth pain, it is important to see a dentist right away. This will help determine the root cause of your pain and whether or not your pain is caused by something that is easily preventable, or if there is a larger problem. 

If sensitivity is caused by receding gums, brush gently and maintain good oral health to promote gum regrowth. If gum recession is severe, your dentist may recommend a gum graft. This involves taking tissue from your palate and placing it over the root to protect the tooth. 

Grinding your teeth can cause tooth sensitivity because it wears down enamel and chip teeth. Reducing stress and caffeine before bed may help prevent you grinding your teeth at night. If you are a habitual teeth grinder and reducing caffeine and stress does not help, a mouthguard will protect your teeth. 

Ways to Treat Tooth Sensitivity

  • Salt water rinses: to alleviate pain from tooth sensitivity, using a salt water rinse twice a day can help. 
  • Honey and warm water: Honey contains antibacterial properties and can be used to treat wounds, reduce pain, and inflammation. Rinsing with warm water and honey can relieve pain from sensitive teeth. 
  • Soft-Bristled Toothbrush: Hard-bristled toothbrushes are abrasive and and aggravate sensitive gums and teeth. Switch to a soft toothbrush and practice gentle brushing techniques. 
  • Natural Remedies: Natural herbs and plants like turmeric, vanilla, and green tea leaves can all be used to treat sensitive teeth. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties. Green tea leaves can strengthen teeth and reduce swelling. Vanilla extract can be dabbed on the affected teeth to reduce pain. 

Tooth sensitivity does not have to take away your simple pleasures. Talk to your dentist today!

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Dentures: Things to Know

Dentures are removable oral fixtures that replace missing teeth and their surrounding tissues. They are a great way to restore your smile and improve your appearance if teeth are missing due to infection, injury, or tooth decay. 

Missing teeth don’t just affect your smile, but can affect your face shape. When teeth are missing, facial muscles can sag, making you look older.  Deciding to get dentures may be for cosmetic reasons or because your dentist is concerned with your overall health. 

Regardless of why you are getting dentures, here are some of the important things to know about your new smile!

Types of Dentures

Complete Dentures

There are two types of complete dentures: Conventional or Immediate. After the decayed or infected teeth have been removed and the gum has begun to heal, conventional dentures can be placed. This occurs usually between 8 and 12 weeks after the teeth have been removed. 

Immediate dentures are removable dentures that are inserted the same day the affected teeth are removed. This allows you to have teeth right away and throughout the healing process. These generally have to be realigned or corrected after the jaw has healed.

Ideally, immediate dentures are used as a temporary solution until conventional dentures can be made and placed in your mouth. 

Partial Dentures

A partial denture, or bridge, consists of a few replacement teeth attached to a gum-colored framework. This framework holds the dentures in place. Partial dentures are used when natural teeth remain in your mouth.  

A fixed bridge is a type of partial denture that is permanent. A crown is placed on the teeth on either side of the space, then attaching the artificial teeth to the bridge. This is cemented into the mouth. 

Partial dentures fill in the spaces from missing teeth, but it also prevents other teeth from shifting and changing position in the mouth. 

Denture Adhesives

Depending on why you are choosing to get dentures, your dentist may or may not recommend using a denture adhesive. 

Why Denture Adhesives are Recommended

There are 3 main reasons your dentist will recommend using a denture adhesive. 

  1. To gives individuals a sense of security with their dentures because it provides stability, bite force, and retention. 
  2. To help those with dry mouth conditions which can affect how dentures stay in their correct place. It can also help those with neurologic disabilities, stroke patients, and the elderly who have a decrease in natural saliva. 
  3. To assist those who heavily use their facial muscles – such as public speakers or musicians. 

Speak with your dentist if you have any concerns about why denture adhesives may not be best suited for you and your mouth. 

Types of Denture Adhesives

 

  • Paste: This denture adhesive is a paste, much like toothpaste. It should be applied to dry or wet dentures to act as a “cement” for your dentures. It may take some trial-and-error to determine how much paste is needed for a secure fit, but if the paste oozes out of the denture tray, use less. A few dots of paste on the upper and lower jaw denture trays is recommended. 
  • Powder: Powders are preferred by many denture wearers because it is easier to clean. A thin layer of powder is sprinkled across the tissue-bearing surface of the denture. When pressed into place, the powder acts as glue that holds dentures in place. 

 

Taking Care of Your Mouth and New Dentures

New dentures can make your mouth feel sore and uncomfortable until you get used to them. You may feel like they are slightly loose as the muscles in your face and mouth learn to keep them in place. Minor issues like irritation, soreness, and increased saliva will decrease as you grow accustomed to your new dentures. 

No matter what kind of dentures you wear, practicing good oral hygiene is important to keeping them looking nice and your surrounding gums healthy. 

  • Rinse your dentures before brushing
  • Soft-bristled toothbrushes and non-abrasive cleaners are recommended so they don’t scratch
  • When you are not wearing your dentures, keep them in water to prevent them from warping.
  • If you use adhesives, use a dentist-recommended adhesive cleanser. 

Be sure to have regular dentist appointments to ensure your dentures fit well and are not damaging your surrounding teeth or bone structure. Having your teeth cleaned professionally is very important. 

If you would like to learn more, please do not hesitate to give us a call or contact us to book an appointment.

How to Treat & Prevent Gum Infections

Every area of your body is apt to getting infections, and your gums are no exception. Gum infections can affect your whole mouth if not treated properly and in a timely manner. If your gums are painful, it can make eating, drinking, or talking difficult and uncomfortable. 

Talk to your dentist about how to treat and prevent gum infections to protect the overall health of your mouth. 

Gum Infection Treatments

At the first sign of a gum infection, make an appointment with your dentist. Gum infections are fairly simple to diagnose and your dentist will inform you of your treatment options. Your options depend on how severe the infection is and how your teeth are affected. 

Some common treatments include:

  • Antibiotics: As with most infections, antibiotics are prescribed to treat gum infections. If the infection is severe, your dentist may elect to perform an injected antibiotic directly into the affected gum area. 
  • Root Planing: This is a very advanced procedure in which your dentist will perform an incredibly deep cleaning between your gums and teeth, all the way to the roots. 
  • Gingivectomy: This type of treatment involves removal of infected gum tissue so the infection doesn’t spread to the rest of your mouth. 
  • Oral Surgery: If the infection is past the point of being treated with antibiotics, your dentist may resort to performing oral surgery such as a bone graft or tissue graft. 
  • Salt Water Rinse: To treat gums with gingivitis, using a salt water rinse twice a day can help soothe inflamed gums. As a natural disinfectant, salt water will remove bacteria and ease pain. 
  • Oil-Pulling:  Oil-pulling has many benefits, many of which treats inflamed gums. Coconut oil has antimicrobial properties that reduce plaque and infectious germs. 

How to Prevent Gum Infections

Avoiding gum infections can be simple if you make oral care a priority. A diligent and purposeful routine will keep your mouth healthy. 

  • Brushing Your Teeth: Brushing your teeth with a fluoridated toothpaste twice a day helps neutralize the bacteria trapped in your gums that cause infections. 
  • Flossing Daily: Using dental floss to get in between your teeth everyday removes food particles that get lodged in the spaces between your teeth. These particles cause plaque, build-up, and infections. 
  • Rinsing with Mouthwash: An anti-gingivitis mouthwash kills bacteria that causes plaque. There are a variety of mouthwashes available that keep your mouth healthy and protect your gums against infections. 
  • Regular Cleanings: Seeing a dentist every six months is crucial to your oral health. They use tools that remove tartar and plaque build up that you may not see or reach at home. This kind of build up is bad for your gums. Seeing a dentist will also protect against any infections because your dentist will be able to assess your mouth and look for any early signs of infections. 

If you would like to learn more, please do not hesitate to give us a call or contact us to book an appointment.

What are Veneers?

Dental veneers are a cosmetic solution to help you achieve the smile you want. Veneers are an option for patients with chipped teeth, misshaped teeth, or to close the gap between teeth. This is a permanent solution, so having them placed on your teeth is a huge decision. 

Unlike implants, dental veneers are thin covers that adhere to the teeth to give them a more uniform appearance. They are a strong and resilient solution that is similar to your tooth’s natural enamel. Veneers are custom-made to fit the contour of your teeth. 

This is a less intrusive option to perfecting your smile as opposed to crowns and braces. 

Types of Veneers

The two most common veneer materials are porcelain and composite. Talk to your dentist about which option is best for you. If the changes are minor and your natural teeth function correctly, then cosmetic bonding is a great choice. However, if the teeth are broken, discoloured, or the patient grinds their teeth, then porcelain veneers are highly recommended. 

 

  • Porcelain: Porcelain veneers are constructed in a lab and are more resilient and resistant to stains and damage. These can last between 10 and 20 years. 
  • Composite: Composite veneers are made of resin and is adhered to the tooth to simply enhance the appearance of your smile. 

 

The Process

Getting veneers typically takes two appointments.  Getting porcelain veneers is a longer process, since they are custom-made to fit your teeth. The first step is a consultation where your oral health will be examined and X-Rays and/or impressions will be taken. The second step will be preparing your teeth for the veneers. A temporary veneer is placed on your teeth while the final veneer is being made. The temporary veneers are removed and your teeth are cleaned with pumice and water.  The final veneers are adhered to your teeth using dental cement. A special light is used to cure the veneer to the tooth. Any excess material will be filed and polished off. 

Composite veneers are a much simpler process, however they do not last as long and are not as strong as the porcelain version. 

Maintaining Your Veneers

Although they are strong and resilient, veneers can chip or break. This is especially common when there is pressure constantly applied. Avoid chewing on hard objects like ice or pen cap, pencils, or even biting your fingernails. 

Because veneers are applied to the surface of your natural tooth, it may take a few days to get used to the feel of your new appearance. If your bite is severely altered, tell your dentist so it can be corrected. An altered bite can negatively change your jaw structure and affect the position of your teeth. 

Keep your teeth and gums cleaned by following proper brushing and flossing routines. Cavities can form under veneers if not cleaned properly. Ask your dentist for products that are approved for use with veneers to keep them looking their best. 

Not everyone is a good candidate for veneers, so have a discussion with your dentist to explore all your options for achieving the smile you’ve always wanted. 

If you would like to learn more, please do not hesitate to give us a call or contact us to book an appointment.