What Are the Different Kinds of Dentists?
Once a person completes dental school, they are able to practice dentistry in areas in which they have certification. These dentists who have just graduated are known as general dentists, and are able to perform most dental procedures. The difference between these dentists and dental specialists is that they have not gone through additional training to obtain a degree in their respective dental fields. There are a total of nine specialties within dentistry regulated by the American Dental Association.
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Endodontists
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Endodontics is the branch of dentistry that deals with tooth pulp and the area around the root of teeth. Common procedures include root canals, endodontic retreatment, surgery, treating cracked teeth, and treating dental trauma. Becoming an endodontist requires two additional years of training at one of 50 certified endodontic training programs, which enrolls a total of approximately 400 students. The average annual salary of an endodontist is $127,000.
Pathologist
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Dental pathologists, also known as oral or maxillofacial pathologists, specialize in the diagnosis and characterization of disease of the teeth, maxilla and mandible. Cancer of the mouth, opportunistic infections, canker sores, or ulcerations of the gum and tongue may result in a referral to a dental pathologist. Specializing in dental pathology requires three additional years of training and will earn an average annual salary of $123,000.
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Radiologist
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A dental radiologist is a specialty within dentistry dealing with diagnostic services via X-rays, CT scans, MRI and ultrasounds. A specialization in radiology requires 24 to 30 months of additional training and will earn $128,000 annually on average.
Oral Surgeon
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An oral surgeon specializes in the diagnosis and the surgical treatment of diseases, injuries, and defects associated with the regions of the mouth, teeth, gums, jaw and neck. Common procedures include wisdom teeth removal, treatment of TMJ disorder, facial trauma and corrective jaw surgery. Oral surgeons require four to six additional years of education and will earn an average of $272,000 a year.
Orthodontist
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Orthodontists specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and correction of malocclusion, or improper bites. Presence of malocclusion may result from irregularity in teeth alignment, or disproportionate jaw relationships. The most common procedure in this specialty are the application of braces. Orthodontic training requires three additional of training and will earn an average of $121,000 a year.
Pedodontist
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Pediatric dentistry is the the specialty within dentistry that provides primary and comprehensive preventative oral care of patients from infancy through adolescence. A specialization in pedodontics requires two more years of postgraduate training and will earn an annual salary of $135,000.
Periodontist
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Periodontists specialize in supporting structures around the tooth known as periodontium, which includes the gums, alveolar bone, cementum and periodontal ligament. The most common adult cause of tooth loss in adults is due to periodontal diseases, and thus referrals to periodontists are common. Periodontists earn an average of $170,000 a year and require three additional years of training.
Prosthodontist
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Prosthodontics is the branch of dentistry which pertains to treatment of clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth using biocompatible substitutes. Additionally, these dentists are especially adept with the aesthetic aspect of restoring teeth. Becoming a prosthodontist requires three years of training past dental school and will earn an average of $162,000 a year.
Public Health Professionals
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Dental public health professionals are dentists who specialize in preventing and controlling dental diseases and promoting dental health for the community as a whole. Dental public health specialists often educate the public, conduct research and administer group care. Becoming specialized in public health requires three additional years of training and will earn an average of $130,000 a year.
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