The Specialties of Dentistry

Dentistry is a dynamic and rewarding career allowing for the improvement of one's overall health, well-being and appearance. It deals with the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases and injuries involving the teeth, oral cavity, maxillofacial area and any other related area and its effects on the body. Of course, a dentists job includes much more than just cleaning and drilling teeth. It incorporates many different surgical and non-surgical procedures and enhancements that essentially improves the quality of life. However, not every dentist does the same procedures. Some may specialize or focus on certain areas.

 

There are currently nine (9) specialties of the field of Dentistry

1. Dental Public Health - This is the science and art of preventing and controlling dental diseases and promoting dental health through organized community efforts. It is that form of dental practice which serves the community as a patient rather than the individual.

2. Endodontics - This specialty is concerned with the morphology, physiology and pathology of the human dental pulp and periradicular tissues.hi specialty is concerned with the morphology, physiology and pathology of the human dental pulp and periradicular tissues.

 3. Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology - This is the discipline of pathology that deals with the nature, identification, and management of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions. It is a science that investigates the causes, processes, and effects of these diseases.

4. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - This includes the diagnosis, surgical and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries and defects involving both the functional and esthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region.

5. Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology - this is the discipline of radiology concerned with the production and interpretation of images and data produced by all modalities of radiant energy that are used for the diagnosis and management of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral and maxillofacial region.

6. Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics -  This includes the diagnosis, prevention, interception, and correction of malocclusion, as well as neuromuscular and skeletal abnormalities of the developing or mature orofacial structures.

7. Pediatric Dentistry (formerly known as Pedodontics) - This is an age-defined specialty that provides both primary and comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health care needs.

8. Periodontics - This encompasses 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.

9. Prosthodontics - This pertains to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation and maintenance of the oral function, comfort, appearance and health of patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible substitutes.

Source: ADA.org