Are you a Petaling Jaya resident having trouble deciding which dentist to go to? Finding the right dentist for you can be difficult as there are various types of dentists. In this article, we will discuss the different types of dentists available in Petaling Jaya so that you can make an informed decision. You will soon realize that there is a perfect dental professional in Petaling Jaya waiting for you!
Why Are Different Types of Dentists Needed?
Different types of dentists within Petaling Jaya are needed to provide a variety of dental care services. A general dentist is able to offer routine dental care such as preventive cleanings, fillings and extractions. For more complex procedures, such as root canals or wisdom teeth removal, an endodontist and an oral surgeon may be required respectively.
If you have any condition that requires special attention or requires the use of a prosthesis (dental implants or orthodontic braces for example) then it is recommended to see a specialist at a reputable dental clinic in Petaling Jaya.
Seeing different types of dentists allows for more specific diagnoses and treatments that can help you maintain healthy teeth and gums. There are also other specialized areas in dentistry such as cosmetic dentistry that focus on the aesthetics of your smile, which general dentists may not be specialized in offering. As such, different specialty clinics may be better equipped to provide certain treatments or procedures that cater to the individual patient’s needs. Visiting a specialty clinic will ensure you are getting optimum care from professionals who are highly trained and experienced in the specific field they practice in.
General Dentist
A general dentist is your primary dental health care provider. It’s their responsibility to diagnose, treat and manage your overall oral health care needs. They review medical history, evaluate your teeth for cavities or other problems and provide preventive care, such as cleanings and fluoride treatments. General dentists can also perform a range of procedures, from simple fillings to minor oral surgery or root canals.
In addition to providing routine dental exams and cleaning, general dentists have experience in handling a wide range of preventive, cosmetic, restorative and emergency procedures. From fitting crowns and bridges to correcting misaligned teeth with braces or aligners (orthodontics), they work with other specialists as needed to make sure you get proper care for any particular condition affecting the mouth.
Common services offered by general dentists include:
- Regular check-ups & cleaning
- Fillings & crowns
- Bridges & implants
- Root canal treatment
- Gum disease treatment
- Tooth extractions
- Orthodontic treatments
Periodontist
A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal (gum) disease and other diseases of the gum area (gingivitis). Periodontists are dental specialists who receive advanced training and education in the management of periodontal diseases. They work closely with general dentists to restore good oral health to patients.
A periodontist assesses teeth, gums and jawbone to diagnose any issues or diseases related to gingivitis or periodontal disease. The treatment depends on the severity of the condition but can include:
- Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning)
- Antibiotic treatments for infection
- Tissue reshaping for cosmetic improvement
- Removal of overgrown gum tissue using laser therapy or soft tissue grafts for shrinking gums that are pulling away from the teeth.
If a patient is found to have advanced gum disease caused by bacteria built up below the gums affecting multiple teeth, a bone graft may be needed in order to help restore bone levels lost from bone resorption due to disease. A periodontist may also place dental implants as well as crowns if required for optimal results.
Periodontists will also examine x-rays taken prior to treatment in order ascertain any existing underlying conditions that require specialized attention during treatment.
Endodontist
An endodontist is a specialist in diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the dental pulp, or root canal, of the teeth. The endodontic process includes treating diseases of the dental nerve and repairing cracked or broken teeth. It may also involve performing root canals, which involve removing decay from around the tooth nerves and sealing them off from bacteria and germs that can cause further damage.
Endodontists are well versed in using specialized instruments to treat both large and small root canals efficiently and safely. They may also perform more complex procedures such as retreatments, apical surgery, and periapical radiography to better diagnose a patient’s condition.
Endodontists are imperative for ensuring proper health of your dental pulp.
Orthodontist
An orthodontist is a specialized type of dentist who focuses on the alignment and positioning of the teeth. An orthodontist uses braces, retainers, or other corrective appliances to help patients obtain their best smile. Unlike general dentists, orthodontists complete an additional two to three years of training in a dental specialty program and become certified by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Specialty.
Orthodontists create detailed treatment plans for each patient tailored to their individual needs. Treatment plans could include the use of braces or clear aligners such as Invisalign, enhance facial features with jaw surgery or constriction devices, correct an improper bite (or malocclusion), create space in crowded mouths when all teeth cannot fit comfortably, improve dental health that may affect overall wellness, teach a patient proper brushing and flossing technique with assistive devices if needed and more.
Oral Surgeon
An Oral Surgeon, also known as an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, is a highly specialized dentist who has undertaken additional qualifications and training in areas such as corrective jaw (orthognathic) surgery, Implants, oral pathology and cosmetic surgeries. They diagnose and treat diseases, injuries and malformations of the mouth, jaws and face.
Oral surgeons may do minor procedures such as extractions of teeth or major operations including maxillofacial trauma that may involve repositioning of bones in the lower face. Depending on their area of expertise they may treat both medical conditions such as cleft palate or paedodontic facial deformities with surgical correction or assist in the reconstruction after tumours are removed from the mouth or jaw region.
In addition to core oral surgery skills such as implants, crowns, wisdom teeth extractions or splints (devices worn over teeth to provide stability), some surgeon will specialize in certain areas such as orthodontics (relating to straightening teeth) or periodontics which related to treatment of gum diseases.
Prosthodontist
A prosthodontist is a specialist in the restoration and replacement of teeth, using advanced techniques to produce natural-looking results. A prosthodontist provides services such as crowns and bridges, veneers, dentures and implant prosthetics.
In addition to restoring missing teeth and improving overall oral health, they also design and fit custom dental prostheses which help to protect the remaining teeth by helping maintain their alignment.
Prosthodontics involves a thorough understanding of how the mouth functions and detailed knowledge of facial anatomy so they can seamlessly integrate dental structures with existing features. Prosthodontists assess the needs of each individual patient to produce prosthetic solutions that improve both form and function. They provide specialized treatments for issues related to:
- denture fabrication
- temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder
- implants
- esthetics
Pedodontist
A pedodontist is a dentist who specializes in treating dental care needs of children, youth, and those with special health care needs. Pedodontists address problems such as baby bottle tooth decay, thumb sucking and associated effects on the dentition and orofacial growth, tooth-related pain and problems related to malocclusions.
They provide preventative care such as fluoride treatments, prophylaxis (dental cleaning) and sealants to protect against decay; restorative care such as filling cavities; orthodontic care – including braces – to correct malocclusions; reconstructive surgeries– to repair trauma or congenital defects; and spacialanalysis – for cosmetic enhancements for children ages five and up.
Pedodontists work together with parents to empower kids to achieve lifelong healthy smiles and good oral hygiene habits.
Conclusion
To conclude, it is important to choose the right type of dentist in Petaling Jaya, depending on your specific dental needs. Generally, a general dentist can take care of most routine issues and is an ideal choice for regular check-ups and preventive care. On the other hand, many specialist dentists such as endodontists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, orthodontists and periodontists offer specialized treatments for more complex cases.
Whatever your situation may be, it is important to do thorough research to find the best dental care provider in your area.
