Why We Refer to Dental Specialists

Your dentist will recommend going to a specialist when you require thorough dental work or oral surgery. A general dentist can only provide you with routine exams, cleanings, and occasional fillings. But when you face a severe issue with your overall health or are met with an accident, you might need to visit a dental specialist.

Dentists refer patients to specialists for certain procedures that need expertise beyond their dental training. These procedures would be needed based on the following factors:

• The extent of the problem 
• The complexity of the technique
• Medical hurdles
• Unavailability of particular devices and machines

There are different types of dental specialists based on their specializations as given below:

Endodontist

The general dentist would refer you to an endodontist when your tooth pulp gets infected or the interior of the tooth is damaged. They provide root canal treatment and manage cracked teeth. They treat the injured tooth pulp and provide treatment for cleaning out the internal chamber of the tooth.

Pedodontist/Pediatric Dentist

The pedodontist, commonly called a pediatric dentist, is a specialist in providing oral health care to children from infants to adolescents. Not only are they trained in treating children’s oral issues in particular but they also studied children’s behavior and how to deal with them in the dental office.

Prosthodontist

They specialize in the replacement and restoration of damaged teeth. They use prosthetics like fixed crowns and bridges to do so. 

Periodontist

They specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases affecting the gums and other structures that support and strengthen the teeth. They treat the early stages of gum disease and perform processes like gum grafts and pocket reduction procedures.

Orthodontist 

Orthodontists are concerned with the alignment of teeth and bites. They offer remedies for overbite, underbite, or crossbite caused by a misaligned jaw. They use braces, clear aligners, or palatal expanders as part of their procedure.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

This is a complex specialty that deals with the problems associated with the hard and soft tissues of the face, mouth, and jaw. These surgeons execute more complicated strategies that require deep levels of sedation. They provide surgical dental extractions and transplantation of teeth. 

Kevin D Fong DDS provides a large variety of dental treatments and techniques to address all of our patients' dental health needs. Head over to 944 W Winton Ave, Hayward, CA 94545. Contact us at (510) 783-1572 or book an online appointment with us.