Dentistry is a medical discipline that takes care of our oral function and the esthetics of our smile. When we look for the best professional to take care of our dental health and esthetics, we encounter many technical terms that can confuse us.
“Should I go to the dentist or the dentist?What treatments does the dentist do and which ones are the dentist’s responsibility?” Patients often come to the office with many doubts about which specialist they need for their problem, looking for a personalized treatment.
Below the specialists of Clínica Puyuelo solve some of the most frequent doubts of patients.
Are a dentist and a dentist the same thing?
The quick and concise answer is: yes, dentist and dentist are the same. Both terms refer to a professional who has completed a degree in dentistry.
Currently the term dentist is more widespread in Spain and is used in a more generalized way, so patients tend to associate a dentist as a specific specialist and differentiated from the dentist. Actually, the origin of the word dentist comes from the Latin “dens” and dentis, which means ‘tooth’ or anything that protrudes and has the ability to cut or tear. On the other hand, the root of the word odontologist, “odonto”, comes from Greek and also means tooth.
Do the dentist and dentist treat the same problems?
Dentists and odontologists are specialists in dentistry and therefore both are dedicated to the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of pathologies of the teeth, gums, jaws and temporomandibular joint. Likewise, they are also in charge of dental esthetic treatments, focused on improving the patient’s smile.
Dentistry has come a long way in recent years and most dentists and odontologists now specialize in specific branches of dentistry. Thus, the model of the dental office with the dentist mastering several disciplines has evolved into a model of a dental specialty clinic, in which several dentists specialized in each of the branches of dentistry coordinate to propose more advanced multidisciplinary treatments. The specializations of Dentistry are:
- Surgery and implantology: Dentists specializing in surgery and dental implantology have specialized in all surgical techniques performed in the oral cavity. The most common are the placement of implants, bone regeneration and wisdom teeth extraction. Good surgeons are able to perform minimally invasive surgeries with shorter postoperative times.
- Orthodontics: Orthodontists are also dentists, and are dedicated to repositioning patients’ teeth to achieve proper alignment and occlusion. First level orthodontists, moreover, in some cases manage to level the dental arches without the patient having to undergo maxillofacial surgery. They also plan cases digitally and use the most advanced techniques in both invisible orthodontics or invisalign and braces, allowing patients to access treatments with more precise and aesthetic results.
- Endodontics: Endodontic specialists are those dentists who have specialized in pathologies affecting the dental nerve or pulp. The most common pathology is caries, which, when it has reached the pulp, must be eliminated by removing the nerve and filling the damaged structure with biocompatible and regenerative materials, a process known as endodontics. This procedure, in the most advanced clinics, is performed with a dental microscope, a tool that allows the specialist to operate at high magnification and thus only extract the infected tissue, without damaging the surrounding structures.
- Maxillofacial surgery: the specialist focused on the maxillofacial area treats bite problems through surgery. They also treat bruxism problems and all pathologies that may affect the jaw bones.
- Dental esthetics: going to the dentist or dentist who specializes in dental esthetics is the best option if we want to have a perfect smile. He is a specialist who has a perfect command of esthetic restorative treatments, such as esthetic composite reconstructions, composite or ceramic veneers, and tooth or implant-supported prosthetic caps. Advanced specialists in this area perform previous digital studies and test them with a mock-up in the mouth to achieve more functional and esthetic results. They should have advanced knowledge of occlusion.
- Periodontics: Periodontics specialists are dentists who have a high level of expertise in pathologies and treatments related to dental support (gums and bone). Advanced specialists perform gum studies to establish protocols that allow patients to avoid bone loss and prevent dental caries. They also restore the health of the gums and bone through grafts.
- Pediatric dentistry: A dentist or odontologist may also specialize in pediatric dentistry, focusing on the dental health of children. In this way you will know the phases of growth and formation of the teeth and jaws, knowing when to intervene so that they grow symmetrically, thus avoiding more complex treatments in the adult phase. They will also help children and their parents to prevent childhood caries, a pathology that can affect the growth of permanent teeth.
Which specialist do I need for my dental health?
The best thing to do for our oral health is to go to a dental clinic that has a first class multidisciplinary team and that offers personalized prevention plans to avoid future pathologies.
The prevention plans consist of annual or biannual maintenance that eliminates all bacterial plaque, both on the visible surface of the tooth and behind the gum, thus avoiding cavities and gum disease, the two main causes of tooth loss. In addition, specific protocols should be established to prevent plaque accumulation until the next maintenance. For patients who are following these guidelines, we will also recommend an annual check-up with a specialist in general dentistry to rule out any pathology.
For patients who come for the first time and suffer from any pathology, they will also be attended by a specialist in general dentistry, who will know how to identify existing pathologies and coordinate with the appropriate specialists to solve the problem from a global perspective. In turn, they will be advised to start with prevention plans.
