Dental Specialties

What is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS)?

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are dentists specializing in surgery of the mouth, face, and jaws. After four years of dental school, surgeons receive four to seven years of hospital-based surgical and medical training, preparing them to do a wide range of procedures including all types of surgery of both the bones and soft tissues of the face, mouth and neck.

What is a Periodontist?

Periodontists are dentists who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease. They have had extensive training with two additional years of study after dental school. As specialists, they devote their time, energy and skill to helping patients care for their gums.

Why is Dr. Do referring you to a Periodontist?

Dr. Do has determined that your periodontal (gums and bone) require special attention. The periodontist and Dr. Do work together as a team to provide you with the highest level of care. They will combine their experience to recommend the best treatment available to you while keeping each other informed on your progress. By referring you to the periodontist, Dr. Do is showing a strong commitment to your dental health.

What is an Endodontist?

The Endodontist examines, diagnoses, and treats diseases and destructive processes, including injuries and abnormalities of dental pulps and periapical tissues of the teeth that often require root canal therapy. Endodontists examine patients and interpret radiographs and pulp tests to determine pulp vitality and periapical tissue conditions. They evaluate their findings and prescribe a method of treatment to prevent loss of teeth.

What is a Pediatric Dentist?

A pediatric dentist has at least two additional years of training beyond dental school. The additional training focuses on the management and treatment of a child’s developing teeth, child behavior, physical growth and development, and the special needs of children’s dentistry. Although either a general dentist or pediatric dentist is capable of addressing your child’s oral health care needs, a pediatric dentist, his or her staff, and even the office décor are all geared to care for children and to put them at ease. If your child has special needs Dr. Do may refer you to a pediatric dentist to ensure they have the treatment they need in an especially caring environment. The goal is to create a patient who doesn't mind going to the dentist.

What is an Orthodontist?

An orthodontist prevents and treats mouth, teeth, and jaw problems. Using braces, retainers, and other devices, an orthodontist helps straighten a person's teeth and corrects the way the jaws line up.

Orthodontists treat children and adults for many problems, including crowded or overlapping teeth or problems with jaw growth and tooth development. These tooth and jaw problems may be caused by tooth decay, losing baby teeth too soon, accidents, or habits like thumb sucking. These problems also can be genetic or inherited.

So why would you go to the orthodontist?

If Dr. Do refers to you then it means he identified an issue with your teeth or jaws. Or a child or adult who doesn't like the way his or her teeth look might ask to see an orthodontist.