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It’s common to think about your family dentist when the field of dentistry comes to mind. However, dentistry expands into a wide range of dental professionals outside of your usual dental office, particularly when it comes to specialty cases. If you’re curious to learn about the other types of dentists out there, then you’ve come to the right place!

General Dentist

A general dentist is someone you see on a regular basis to make sure your oral health is in check. This happens to be the most common dentist, as they see both children and adults, and take care of treatments that include general cleaning, dental x-rays and education in terms of at-home dental care. They’re also responsible for restorative dental work like teeth whitening, repairing chipped, cracked or missing teeth, artificial fillings and tooth decay. Even though general dentists are capable of treating most dental issues, there are other specialty dental professionals that deal with more complex situations.

Orthodontist

While an orthodontist might seem like they only deal in installing, maintaining and removing braces, their dental care can extend much further than that. Orthodontists are mainly concerned with perfecting misaligned teeth, jaw bones and other supporting features of the face for functional and cosmetic purposes. This means that an orthodontist’s field includes designing custom pieces like mouth guards, braces, alignment trays, retainers, headgear and face masks to correct any alignment problems.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons focus on treating the hard and soft tissue found in and around your mouth. This tissue includes the cheeks, lips, soft and hard palate, tongue, facial tissue, and gums. Medically trained in hospitals after dental school, these specialty surgeons perform invasive surgeries like complex tooth extractions and surgical jaw corrections. They can also perform reconstructive surgery, facial infection removal, sleep apnea treatments and more.

Periodontist

Periodontists focus on the gums, as they’re solely concerned with preventing, diagnosing and treating a variety of gum-related issues. Their specialty care includes extreme gum inflammation, pain, gum disease, installing dental implants and performing skin grafting for gum tissue. If you need extensive work done on your gums, then a periodontist should be your first stop. 

Prosthodontist

A prosthodontist is a specialist that focuses on providing oral prostheses to replace damaged, missing or decayed teeth. Oral prostheses, or false teeth, typically include crowns, bridges, dentures, veneers and teeth implants. Custom-made for both cosmetic and functional purposes, prostheses can improve your ability to chew, speak and bite, both in terms of efficiency and safety. Prosthodontists work closely with dental labs in order to create a comfortable, high-quality prostheses for each patient.

Endodontist

An endodontist is a dentist that specializes in the inner part of the tooth, past the hardened enamel exterior that general dentists deal with. The interior of a tooth that’s located below the gum line is known as the pulp, which is soft and made up of sensitive tissue. When the pulp becomes damaged, inflamed or begins rotting from within due to injury, decay or trauma, then it needs to be treated or removed by an endodontist. If the pulp can’t be repaired, then a root canal will need to be performed to restore your oral health.

You probably know that dentistry and orthodontics are related, but may not be familiar with the fundamental differences between the two. In this article, we explore the key differences between the role of a dentist and an orthodontist.

Dentists

Dentists are oral health experts, who specialize in understanding how the health of your teeth, gums, and mouth relate to your overall health. The Canadian Dental Association outlines the various roles that dentists are involved in, which include:

• Prevention/Public Education 
• Detection and Management of Oral Conditions 
• Aesthetic Improvement
• Restoration
• Correction 
• Reconstruction 
• Surgery

A dental clinic generally focuses on all areas related to oral health. This can include looking at it from a health / hygiene perspective, as well as an aesthetic point of view. They are essential in developing treatment plans to improve the appearance of your smile, as well as to address existing oral health issues or to develop plans to prevent them from occurring.

Dentists are generally your first point of contact when addressing any oral health issues. They focus on a wide range of oral health issues such as cavities, gum disease, broken/missing teeth, and much more. 

You would also go to see a dentist for regular ongoing checkups, which are essential to assessing and maintaining your overall oral health, as well as for proactive prevention. A dentist is also your best source of information and education in regards to oral health. They can help guide you through tips on proper oral maintenance, what kind of foods to avoid, risk factors for various conditions, and much more.

Orthodontists

Orthodontists generally have the same educational background as dentists, as well as an additional specialist degree focused around tooth and jaw alignment. They are the most qualified to provide treatment options around straightening your teeth. 

Orthodontists provide various orthodontic treatment options, which can include braces, retainers, and oral surgery. 

Braces are the most common type of orthodontic treatment. They can come in various forms, such as traditional metal braces and tooth-coloured ceramic braces. Clear aligners are also a great option for adults. Oral surgery or tooth removal may be done if your teeth are crowded or out of position. Jaw surgery is a good option when there are major differences in the size or position of the upper and lower jaws.

Conclusion

Both dentistry and orthodontics focus around oral health and improving your smile. Dentistry encompasses a broader range of functions which includes maintenance, treatment, and prevention. Dentists are your primary source of contact regarding addressing any oral health issues and to learn more about treatment and prevention. They are also key to developing comprehensive treatment plans to treat any existing oral conditions, as well as to improve the aesthetic appearance of your smile. Orthodontics on the other hand primarily focuses on tooth and jaw alignment. Orthodontists specialize in developing orthodontic treatment plans, which can be done using a range of methods, which include braces, clear brackets, retainers, oral surgery, and more. 

Overall, both dentistry and orthodontics are essential to prevention, maintenance, and improving your overall oral health.

At Maple Family Dentistry, we often help patients who come in with a dental emergency that needs to be addressed right away. But what situations or conditions would be considered as a dental emergency? We go through some of the main ones in this article.

Toothaches

The first course of action when experiencing toothaches is to contact your dental office. In the meantime, you can take measures to reduce the pain, namely by taking over-the-counter pain medicine such as Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen. You can also put an icepack against the area of the sore tooth to further ease the pain. 

Upon examination, your dentist will be able to assess the origin of the pain – whether it’s of an origin that’s carious, periodontal, caused by wisdom teeth, or of a non-dental origin altogether. 

Knocked-out teeth

If a tooth is knocked out of place, it can be put back and restored to functioning if addressed quickly. Typically, if the situation isn’t addressed for longer than two hours, the likelihood that it can be restored properly is low.

In the situation of a knocked-out tooth, it’s advised to try to reposition the tooth in its socket, and go to a dentist right away. If you’re unable to put it back in the socket, put the tooth in a container of cold milk until you receive treatment.

This situation is among the most time-sensitive of all dental emergencies, so be sure to act very fast if you go through this experience. 

Broken, cracked, or chipped tooth

There are various means of fixing a broken or chipped tooth – no matter how major the damage. A lot of times, a small chip which doesn’t cause pain may not necessarily call for emergency treatment.

Larger fractures, especially ones that affect the outer layer of the tooth (enamel) or the vital structures such as the dentin and the pulp, should be addressed right away. There is a great risk if these of cracks or fractures are untreated, as it may cause pain and lead to more damage.

Tissue damage and injuries

Damage to soft tissue is commonly in the form of lacerations, contusions, abrasions, and wounds – among others. It’s important to treat injured soft tissue, as this reduces the risks of infection and contamination. 

While contacting a dental professional to have the issue treated, you can apply a clean cloth or gauze to limit bleeding. If bleeding is extensive however, it’s advised to seek immediate care. 

Contact us regarding your dental emergency

Maple Family Dentistry is here to help you diagnose, treat, and contain your emergency dental situation or condition. See our emergency dentistry page for a more comprehensive list of the types of emergency dental conditions that we treat, as well as the process involved in getting in touch with us to getting treatment. 

If you are unsure whether your condition requires emergency treatment, don’t hesitate to call us and ask. We are happy to guide you through what might be the best course of action in your situation, especially given that some conditions are highly time-sensitive. We look forward to speaking with you and you with the highest quality of care.

Visiting your local dental practice multiple times per year is a great habit to get into. Your dentist will make sure to keep your smile bright, happy, and healthy. He’ll also aim to fix any problem you may have with your teeth. If you aren’t a regular at your local dental office, here are some reasons why you should consider booking an appointment in the near future.

Teeth, Jaw, or Mouth Pain

If you’re experiencing any kind of pain that has to do with teeth, jaw, or mouth, it is a good idea to take a trip to the dentist to identify what’s going on. Sometimes it can be caused by the misalignment of your teeth, your wisdom teeth maturing at an awkward angle, or even caused by something hard that you ate. Your emergency dentist will be able to identify the root of the problem and inform you on how to fix it.

Teeth Cleaning

The standard recommendation is to brush your teeth at least twice per day. However, a lot of people don’t do this. Even the people that do, though, sometimes don’t clean them well enough. There are lots of ways in which people make shortcuts to brushing their teeth. Whether it be brushing for too little a time or skipping out on flossing altogether – everyone can do a better job cleaning their teeth. A regular trip to the dentist will ensure to clean the spots that you missed, as well as keep you in check moving forward.

Teeth Whitening

If you find that you’re trying to hide your smile, it is a good idea to be honest with yourself and ask yourself why this is the case. Quite frequently, it’s because people aren’t confident with the colour of their teeth. They think they’re too dull, yellow, or simply not white enough. Getting your teeth professionally whitened can help alleviate this concern and have you smiling again! Pro Tip: most dentists offer free whitening on your first visit. Take advantage of this.

General Checkup

It is always a good idea to be kept up to date on your current level of health. Including oral health. Going to your local dental office on a regular basis will ensure that you are treating your health in a proactive manner so that you can prevent problems from occurring before they even happen. As opposed to being reactive about your oral health, where you only go to the dentist when there’s something wrong. Overall, it is better to be informed and knowledgeable about your current situation so that you can stay on top of any potential risks or changes in the futre.

Professional, Tailored Advice

With the advent of the internet, people rely on information that they read online as a way to judge their current situation. The problem with this is that it’s very hard to verify the credibility of this type of information. What’s more, is that this information is not a personal diagnosis of your own body. By visiting your dentist, you’re able to solves both of these problems. You’re able to receive personal, tailored advice based on your own unique situation from a licensed professional. It is always better to receive your information from this route than the latter.

Most people have similar routines. Similar routines in the sense that each and every day they brush their teeth – once in the morning and once at night. What’s much less of a habit, though, is the retiring of your toothbrush once it reaches the point of ineffectiveness (or, at least, much less effective than it once was). Our Niagara dental clinic discusses why you should be mindful of the lifespan of your toothbrush and when you should trade it in for a new one.

Types of Toothbrushes

Disposable/ Travel

These toothbrushes are often small and compact, making them much easier to travel with you. These toothbrushes typically don’t last as long as regular toothbrushes because they tend to build up bacteria rather quickly. This is because carrying a toothbrush in a case can lead to moisture buildup – moisture that breeds bacteria.

General

This is the standard toothbrush you receive from your dentist and the type of toothbrush most people use.

Electric

Electric toothbrushes are toothbrushes that use a battery or motor to spin the bristles of the toothbrush to clean your teeth. Although, this may sound like you are getting a much deeper clean, evidence suggests that the effectiveness of electric toothbrushes and standard toothbrushes are very close to being at the same level. Whichever toothbrush you decide to use comes down to a matter of preference.

Bristles

Some toothbrushes have small bristles, and some have large bristles. One thing to be aware of with toothbrushes with large bristles is that large bristles have the potential to damage enamel if not used carefully.

How Long Does A Toothbrush Last?

According to American Dental Association (ADA), toothbrushes should be changed, on average, about every 3 to 4 months. A seasonal item, if you will. This is for people who brush their tooth twice per day. The reason why this is an average is because different situations can cause your toothbrush to last shorter or longer than most.

For example, braces are known to wear down toothbrushes faster than usual. So, if you have braces, you should inspect it every so often to make sure the bristles are not yet frayed.

Another example is the sturdiness of your toothbrush’s bristles. Some bristles are stronger than others, meaning, they’re able to last longer. Always check to make sure your bristles are not splayed, bent or have lost their original rigidity.  

Maintaining Your Toothbrush

Keep It Upright

When you put your toothbrush down for the night, make sure your store it in an upright position. This helps to dry out the bristles and prevent bacteria buildup.

Rinse After Each Use

Rinsing your toothbrush under cold water after each use is imperative to making it last. Cleaning the bristles of any debris or leftover toothpaste also helps prevent bacteria buildup and ensures you have a fresh toothbrush next time you brush your teeth.

Don’t Share

Sharing is caring, but not when it comes to oral hygiene. Sharing your toothbrush with someone else will expose you to the bacteria in this other person’s mouth. It is better to avoid this.

Store In A Case With Holes (When Travelling)

When travelling, make sure that the case you store your toothbrush in has holes in it. As mentioned above, keeping your toothbrush in a closed case locks in the moisture and can causes bacteria buildup on the bristles. Having holes in the storage case will allow air to flow through it, helping to negate these effects.

Change When You’re Sick

Of course, it’s unreasonable to change your toothbrush each and every time you fall ill. However, if there comes a point in time when you’re sick for a few weeks at a time in a short period of time, you may want to consider changing your toothbrush just in case.