Know Before You Go

Definitions of Special Areas of Dental Practice

The general dentist is educated to provide comprehensive care from dental examinations to dental surgery. While most dental procedures can be provided by the general dentist, a patient may be referred to a specialist.

Dental Public Health

Dental public health is the science and art of preventing and controlling dental diseases and promoting dental health through organized community efforts. It is that form of dental practice which serves the community as a patient rather than the individual. It is concerned with the dental health education of the public, with applied dental research, and with the administration of group dental care programs as well as the prevention and control of dental diseases on a community basis.

Endodontics

Endodontics is the branch of dentistry which is concerned with prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease and injuries of the internal soft tissue of the tooth (root canals).

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

Oral and Maxillofacial surgery is the specialty of dentistry which includes the diagnosis, surgical and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries and defects involving both functional and esthetic aspects of the mouth, jaw, and related area of the head and neck.

Orthodontics

Orthodontics is the dental specialty that includes the diagnosis, prevention, interception, and correction of malocclusion. The Orthodontists prescribes and places corrective devices, such as braces, to align teeth and improve health and appearance.

Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric Dentistry is an age-defined specialty that provides both primary and comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health care needs.

Periodontics

Periodontics is that specialty of dentistry which encompasses  the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth.

Prosthodontics

Prosthodontics is the dental specialty pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation and maintenance of the oral function, comfort, appearance and health of patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth.

Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology

Oral pathology is the specialty of dentistry and discipline of pathology that deals with the nature, identification, and management of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions. It is a science that investigates the causes, processes, and effects of these diseases. The practice of oral pathology includes research and diagnosis of diseases using clinical, radiographic, microscopic, biochemical, or other examinations.

Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology

Oral and maxillofacial radiology is the specialty of dentistry and discipline of radiology concerned with the production and interpretation of images and data that are used for the diagnosis and management of diseases, disorders, and conditions of the oral and maxillofacial region.