In dentistry there are specialties but all general dentists perform all the procedures of specialists.
Dentistry is somewhat different from medicine. In medicine Doctors generally deal with one part or treatment of the body. While in dentistry even though there are specialists most dental treatments are performed by general dentists. The specialists are for challenging cases.
With proper training general dentists can and do perform treatments of all the specialties. So what and who are dental specialists. First they are all general dentists who obtain additional training in one area of dentistry and then limit their practice to only performing specific treatments.
Here they are: Endodontists who are concerned with root canals
Orthodontists who are concerned with movement of teeth
Periodontists who are concerned with providing dental treatment to children
Periodontists who are concerned with maintaining gum health
Oral Surgeons who are concerned with removing teeth
All dentists extract teeth. This is the final treatment for hopeless teeth. Today we are able to save teeth which in the past would be extracted. Difficult extractions, third molar or wisdom tooth extractions and patients who want to be put to sleep for their tooth removal are generally referred to an oral surgeon.
Oral surgeons are also placing implants at this time.
Root canals are mainly done by general dentists. An advantage to the patient is that the fee charged by a general dentist for a root canal is less than what an endodontist would charge for the same treatment. Once again it is the degree of difficulty of the tooth involved which determines if the patient should be referred. In the United States there are not enough endodontists available to perform all the root canals that are needed so general dentists are doing the vast majority of them.
All dentists can and do work on children. It is a personal decision of the dentist if he or she wants to treat children. Treating children requires a different mindset and the staff needs to be trained to handle the unique needs of working on adolescents.
Gum surgery and implant placement which is what periodontists perform can and are being performed by general dentists. It comes down to the training and confidence of the general dentist to perform these treatments.
Finally in orthodontics general dentists are performing a substantial number of treatments. With the advent of clear aligners such as Invisalign tooth movement is becoming the province of general dentists. Again it is the parameters and the difficulty of the case that determines if an orthodontic referral is necessary.
In dentistry the general dentist as the name implies is the General. The specialists are the subcontractors who the general dentist engages if he deems their services are needed. The average patient generally first goes to their dentist for an evaluation before ever seeing a specialist.
At the dental practice of Glenn Reit DDS we are always happy to meet with new patients and to diagnose their condition. We like people and we like taking care of you and your teeth. If you think you need to see a dentist give us a call today at 212 517 9000.
