Types of Dentists: You’ve Got Questions, We’ve Got Answers

Posted by Lucy petterson on October 25th, 2021

We all know that going to the dentist for a regular checkup is important. And there is nothing to dread to search and visit a private dentist near me for your regular checkups. Dentists and hygienists are there to just help you, and they\'ll usually try to make your office visit as easy as possible. So if you make it to the chair, it puts you closer to better health and also helps you to smile with more confidence.

However, when you look for and visit a private dentist near me, you might have noticed those three little letters listed after their name, DDS or DMD. Or maybe if your dentist has ever referred you to a dental specialist, you might have thought about them.

And, once you come to know about it, you would be keen to know what types of dentists there are and how they can affect your oral care? How do you know whom you should visit? And what do all of these letters mean? Eventually, you don\'t have to worry; we’re here to answer all your questions. We will help you to clear the air about different types of dentists and what it would mean to you as a patient.

General Dentistry – DDS vs. DMD

Generally, when you surf on the internet and visit a private dentist near me for a regular checkup, you are either seeing a DDS or a DMD. DDS refers to someone who has a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree and DMD to Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry or Doctor of Dental Medicine degree. 

Both a DDS and a DMD have to undergo three or more years of undergraduate studies followed by four years of dental school to earn the licensing and experience of dentistry. So there is no difference between a DDS and DMD. Whether a dentist holds a DMD or a DDS degree, they all have received the same training. The only difference is that some universities choose to refer to their dental degree as DDS & some choose DMD.

But you should know that both of these dentists are considered general dentists. And they would be your primary provider when you find for and visit a private dentist near me and would help you to treat your overall oral health care needs. 

Endodontist 

The word endodontist is derived from the Greek where “endo” means “inside,” and “odont” means tooth! Basically, these dental specialists have received training to help patients address tooth pain and save their natural teeth by performing root canal treatment. This treatment involves procedures that tackle infected tissues inside a tooth.

Periodontist 

A periodontist is a dental specialist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal diseases, such as caring for your gums and the supporting tissues and structure around your teeth. They handle acute to severe gum diseases and are trained for dental implants as well. Periodontists are also experts in the treatment of oral inflammation.

Orthodontist 

Orthodontics is a dental specialist that addresses the diagnosis, prevention, and correction of mal-positioned teeth and jaws, and misaligned bite patterns. So if there are extra teeth, missing teeth, or teeth are crowded, an orthodontist will treat the patient with solutions like braces, Invisalign, and/or retainers. An orthodontist can also address the modification of facial growth, known as dentofacial orthopedics.

Winding Up

As you have read the article now if you are planning to undergo any dental treatment in South East London or you ever find a need to visit an emergency dentist in South East London, visit Mindful dentist. They have some of the best dentists in South East London whom you can rely on completely. To book an appointment, you can visit their site at – The Mindful Dentist - https://www.mindfuldentist.london/.