Dental Specialties Near You
Dental specialists are dentists who have completed additional training in a certain area, above and beyond the typical four years of professional dentistry school. Wharnecliffe Dental is pleased to provide specialized dental services for our patients, allowing us to help you and your family with concerns that require additional precision and knowledge. Our specialists can provide diagnoses, treatments, and continued support for a range of oral health issues.
Prosthodontics
Prosthodontics is a dental specialty concerned with the restoration of full oral function, most often through artificial replacements for the teeth or restorations of the teeth. A prosthodontist may consult on or be involved in treatment in cases of injury or disease that has caused damage to the teeth or tooth loss, or which requires the extraction and replacement of teeth. Finally, a prosthodontist may be involved in more extensive replacements of the jaw and various parts of the face.
Endodontics
An endodontist is often referred to as a “root canal specialist” or “soft tissue specialist.” Their field of study is the tooth’s pulp, which is the soft tissue that reaches from the center of the tooth down into the gums, protecting the nerves of the tooth inside the root canal. Our dentists at Ajax Valley Dental often perform routine root canal procedures, but we’ll refer you to our trusted endodontal specialist in ajax if your case is more complex or needs a second opinion.
What Does an Endodontist Do?
Endodontists typically get called in to diagnose complex root cases or extreme tooth pain management. Endodontists can use surgical microscopes and digital X-rays to help examine and diagnose tooth pulp conditions. Their specialized training and experience allow them to solve more difficult root problems.
When Is an Endodontist Needed?
Endodontists are called in to help with complicated root canal procedures, or to perform a second root canal when roots become reinfected. One example is when calcifications are found inside root canals; this situation requires special techniques to treat. Endodontists have specialized training and instruments to remove these calcifications before performing the root canal procedure. Endodontists may also perform diagnostic surgery to determine the exact causes of severe tooth pain that X-rays do not reveal. If You are looking for expert Endodontics near you? Visit our dental clinic in Ajax for top-notch Edodontics services. Our skilled team is ready to assist you.
Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
Oral and maxillofacial pathology is a dental specialty that focuses on the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and management of diseases, injuries, and abnormalities affecting the oral and maxillofacial region. These specialists are highly trained in diagnostic and treatment techniques.
What is Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology?
Oral and maxillofacial pathology is also often referred to as “head and neck” pathology. There are many disorders, diseases, and injuries that can affect the tissue in and around the oral cavity.
Maxillofacial refers to the structures surrounding the oral cavity. Maxillofacial pathology includes diagnoses related to the facial muscles, parts of the jaw such as the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), soft tissues such as the perioral skin, and the salivary glands. Much of their focus is on the soft tissues rather than the teeth.
An oral and maxillofacial pathologist will typically perform an examination first to look for signs of oral diseases, including:
- Oral lesions
- Abnormalities or swelling in the head and neck
- Lumps or masses
- Ulcers
- Patches of abnormal skin
During an exam, pathologists may also ask patients questions about their medical history, other medical conditions, current medications, oral health records, lifestyle, and potential risk factors.
Oral and maxillofacial pathologists must successfully complete specialized dental education programs. They may also refer patients to oral medical practitioners to diagnose other health issues that affect the oral and maxillofacial regions, such as Crohn’s disease.
Oral Radiology
Oral radiology is a specialty of dentistry that focuses on the capture and interpretation of diagnostic imaging of the teeth and mouth. Oral radiologists assist dentists and dental specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of oral conditions.
Although most general dentists use and interpret diagnostic imaging tools such as x-rays in their own practices, specialized tools and knowledge are sometimes needed for more complex cases. Dental radiologists have specialized training in the application of diagnostic imaging tools.