When it comes to oral health professionals, there are a lot of different types of specialists out there. For the average patient, it can be confusing to figure out what type of oral care professional they actually need. For those who are confused about what these dental specialists do, here’s a closer look into the world of oral health professionals!
An orthodontist is probably the most easily recognized type of dental professional besides a dentist. Orthodontists are dentists who receive additional training to learn how to straighten the teeth and correct the bite using orthodontic devices, such as braces, expanders and retainers. Many dentists offer orthodontic services, but most orthodontists do not offer dental cleanings and exams.
An endodontist is a dental professional most people really don’t want to have to see. The endodontist specializes in what is considered one of the scariest dental procedures: the root canal. Thankfully, a root canal sounds a lot scarier than it really is; in fact, it’s not scary at all, especially at the hands of a skilled dentist or endodontist. Endodontists are truly experts in root canals, receiving years of additional training just on that one procedure.
A periodontist specializes in the care and treatment of the gums. If you are diagnosed by your dentist with periodontal disease or another gum infection, you may be referred to a periodontist for further treatment. A periodontist may also treat gum recession and perform gum-grafting surgical procedures.
A prosthodontist specializes in treating dental and facial problems that result from missing teeth. Prosthodontists receive an additional three years of dental training beyond dental school. Prosthodontists specialize in dental implants, dentures, crowns, bridges and any other prosthetic teeth that help restore the shape of the face and the function of the teeth and mouth.
A maxillofacial surgeon works with the soft tissues of the face and jaw, including the gums, lips, cheeks and other surrounding muscle and tissue. Maxillofacial surgeons can perform a variety of dental surgeries, including tooth extraction and cleft palate procedures. Here’s an interesting fact: Maxillofacial surgeons are the only medical professionals who can provide every possible level of sedation besides actual anesthesiologists!
Dentists provide cleanings, dental exams and even minor surgical procedures. Hopefully your dentist is the only dental professional you will ever need, but if you’re concerned about any dental issues, your dentist is a great first stop to have it checked out. If your dentist can’t cover it, she will refer you to a qualified specialist who can.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lesko for a cleaning or for any other concerns you may have, please call 970-221-5115.
Kwa wale wanaotumia huduma za afya ya mdomo, kuna aina nyingi za huduma za afya. Kwa mgonjwa wa kawaida, inaweza kuwa ngumu kujua ni aina gani ya huduma ya mdomo ambayo anahitaji. Kwa wale ambao ni kuchanganyikiwa kuhusu nini wataalamu hawa meno kufanya, hapa ni kuangalia karibu zaidi katika dunia ya wataalamu wa afya ya mdomo! Huenda daktari wa meno ndiye aina ya mtaalamu wa meno anayetambuliwa kwa urahisi zaidi isipokuwa daktari wa meno. Orthodontists ni madaktari wa meno ambao hupokea mafunzo ya ziada ya jinsi ya kusawazisha meno na kurekebisha kuumwa kwa kutumia vifaa vya orthodontic, kama vile braces, expander na retainers. Madaktari wengi wa meno hutoa huduma za ortodonti, lakini madaktari wengi wa meno hawapati usafishaji na uchunguzi wa meno. An endodontist ni mtaalamu wa meno watu wengi kweli hawataki kuwa na kuona. Mtaalamu wa meno ya ndani (endodontist) hufanya upasuaji wa meno unaoitwa root canal. Kwa shukrani, upasuaji wa mifereji ya mizizi unaonekana kuwa wenye kuogopesha kuliko ulivyo; kwa kweli, si wenye kuogopesha hata kidogo, hasa ukifanywa na daktari wa meno au mtaalamu wa meno. Wataalamu wa meno ya ndani ni wataalamu wa kweli wa matibabu ya mifereji ya mizizi, wakipokea miaka ya mazoezi ya ziada juu ya utaratibu huo mmoja tu. Daktari wa meno ni mtaalamu wa kutunza na kutibu meno. Ikiwa daktari wako wa meno amegundua ugonjwa wa periodontal au maambukizo mengine ya nywele, unaweza kuelekezwa kwa daktari wa periodontist kwa matibabu zaidi. Daktari wa meno aweza pia kutibu kuharibika kwa taya na kufanya upasuaji wa kuunganisha taya. Daktari wa meno bandia ni mtaalamu wa kutibu matatizo ya meno na ya uso yanayotokana na meno yanayokosekana. Wataalamu wa meno ya bandia hupata miaka mitatu zaidi ya mafunzo ya meno baada ya shule ya meno. Wataalamu wa meno ya meno ya kawaida (prosthodontists) ni wataalamu wa meno ya meno, matawi, madaraja, na meno mengine ya bandia ambayo husaidia kurudisha umbo la uso na kazi ya meno na mdomo. Mpasuaji wa maxillofacial hufanya kazi na tishu laini za uso na taya, pamoja na nywele, midomo, mashavu na misuli na tishu nyingine zinazozunguka. Madaktari wa upasuaji wa maxillofacial wanaweza kufanya upasuaji mbalimbali wa meno, kutia ndani uchimbaji wa meno na taratibu za kupasuka kwa mdomo. Hapa kuna ukweli wa kuvutia: Madaktari wa upasuaji wa maxillofacial ndio wataalamu pekee wa kitiba ambao wanaweza kutoa kila kiwango kinachowezekana cha kutuliza mbali na madaktari wa anesthesia halisi! Madaktari wa meno hutoa usafi, uchunguzi wa meno na hata upasuaji mdogo. Kwa matumaini daktari wako wa meno ni mtaalamu pekee wa meno utakayehitaji, lakini ikiwa una wasiwasi juu ya masuala yoyote ya meno, daktari wako wa meno ni kituo cha kwanza cha kuifanya ichunguzwe. Kama daktari wako wa meno hawezi kufunika, yeye itabidi rejea wewe kwa mtaalamu wenye sifa ambaye anaweza. Kwa ajili ya kuandaa tarehe ya kukutana na daktari Lesko kwa ajili ya kusafisha au kwa ajili ya wasiwasi mwingine wowote unaweza kuwa na, tafadhali piga simu 970-221-5115.