What is a general
dentist (DDS or DMD)? Upon graduation from dental school -- to
become a general dentist -- a dentist is awarded either a
DDS or a DMD degree:
DDS = doctor
of dental surgery
DMD = doctor
of dental medicine
There is no difference
between the two degrees -- both dentists have received
the same education and completed the same curriculum
requirements set by the American Dental Association's
Commission on Dental Accreditation. The difference is
merely semantics -- some institutions award a DMD degree,
while others award a DDS degree. Generally, three or more
years of undergraduate college education plus four years
of dental school is required to graduate and become a
general dentist. State licensing boards accept either
degree as equivalent, and both degrees allow licensed
individuals to practice the same scope of general
dentistry.
Specialized areas
of dentistry:
Additional post-graduate training is required to become a
dental specialist. Dental/oral health specialists include
the following:
- Pediatric
Dentist
A pediatric dentist is a specialist in the field
of dentristy -- dealing particularly with the
oral health care of children, from infancy
through the teenage years. In guiding children
and teens through their dental growth and
development, pediatric dentists often work
closely with pediatricians, family physicians,
and other dental specialists in providing
comprehensive medical and dental care.
- Endodontist
Also called pulp specialists, endodontists have
undergone specialized training in performing root
canal therapy. This particular branch of
dentistry is concerned with the morphology,
physiology, and pathology of the human dental
pulp (the soft tissue area between the tooth's
outer enamel and the dentin) and periradicular
tissues -- including the prevention and treatment
of diseases and injuries of the pulp and
associated periradicular conditions.
- Oral and
Maxillofacial Surgeon
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are actually
orthopaedic facial surgeons responsible for
treating a wide variety of dental problems --
including the removal of impacted teeth and
reconstructive facial surgery. This dental
specialty also includes the diagnosis and
treatment of diseases, injuries, and defects
involving both functional and esthetic aspects of
the hard and soft tissues of the oral and
maxillofacial region.
- Orthodontist
Orthodontists are specially trained
dentists who specialize in the development,
prevention, and correction of irregularities of
the teeth, bite, and jaws. Orthodontists also
have specialized training in facial abnormalities
and disorders of the jaw. A patient often
consults an orthodontist after receiving a
referral from his/her general dentist.
- Periodontist
Periodontists are responsible for the care and
prevention of gum-related diseases, guided bone
regeneration, and dental implants. It is the
specialty of dentistry that includes the
prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases
of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the
teeth or their substitutes, and the maintenance
of the health, function, and esthetics of these
structures and tissues.
- Prosthodontist
Prosthodontists are dental specialists who have
undergone additional training and certification
in the restoration and replacement of broken
teeth with crowns, bridges, or removable
prosthetics (dentures). It is the branch of
dentistry that also specializes in understanding
the dynamics of the smile, preserving a healthy
mouth, and creating tooth replacements.
Prosthodontists often work closely with other
members of the oral health care team in restoring
natural teeth, replacing missing teeth, and/or
developing artificial substitutes for damaged
oral and maxillofacial tissues. In addition,
prosthodontists also have specialized training in
the following:
- post oral
cancer reconstruction
- jaw joint
problems (i.e., temporomandibular joint
disorder)
- traumatic
injuries of the mouth
- snoring and
sleeping disorders
|