A dentist is a doctor who has special expertise in the field of oral health. The role of the dentist is to diagnose, treat, and prevent dental and oral problems. However, some procedures can only be performed by dentists who have completed specialist education.
So far, you may only know the term general dentist as a profession that can solve all dental and oral problems. However, any more severe dental, gum, and mouth problems require the treatment of a specialist dentist according to the scientific field that has been explored.
Dentist's Specialties and Procedures
Similar to general medicine, the branch of dentistry also has specialties, including:
- Oral surgeon (SpBM)Oral surgery specialist field deals with dental implant treatment, abnormalities in the oral cavity such as wisdom teeth that grow sideways or buried, cleft lip and palate disorders, tumors and cysts in the oral cavity or jaw, dental cysts, jawbone repair , to aesthetic procedures (beauty). Some of these dental and oral problems require surgery, both minor (with local anesthesia) and major (under general anesthesia).
- Orthodontic specialist (SpOrt)
Orthodontists have expertise in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of malocclusion. Malocclusion or misaligned teeth can occur due to crowding of teeth, the number of teeth is more than the normal number, or there are teeth that fall out. Orthodontic specialists are responsible for straightening teeth using braces and corrective retainer equipment. In addition to supporting appearance, the purpose of equalizing teeth is to improve tooth function so that they can chew and speak better.
- Periodontist (SpPerio)Periodontists have the expertise to diagnose, treat and prevent diseases of the gum tissue and the supporting structures of teeth (both natural and artificial teeth). The periodontist is responsible for treating gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and periodontitis (disease of the gums and jawbone) with severe complications.
- Dental conservation specialist (SpKG)
The expertise possessed by a conservation dentist or endodontic specialist is dental care so that the function and aesthetics of the teeth can return to normal. Actions taken by SpKG include preventing cavities, filling teeth according to needs (manufacturing of cavities). veneers, crown, peg, onlay, inlay), dental cavities treatment, root treatment and surgery, tartar, teeth whitening (bleach), and endodontic surgery.
- Prosthodontic specialist (SpPros)Prosthodontists specialize in tooth repair and replacement of missing teeth using dentures (dentures), Crown (crown), or ceramics. Prosthodontists can also replace teeth with dental implants.
- Pediatric Dentistry Specialist (SpKGA)
The field of SpKGA or also known as pedodontist, provides treatment and treats diseases of the teeth, gums, and mouth of children from the age of 1 year to their teens. SpKGA dentists have special skills in handling cases and diseases surrounding children's teeth and mouth.
- Oral Medicine Specialist (SpPM)SpPM's area of expertise is oral diseases, such as dental and oral infections including candidiasis, dental and oral bacterial infections, oral lichen planus, salivary gland disorders, tongue cancer, and oral cancer. The action taken is the administration of drugs without a surgical procedure.
- Dental radiology specialist (SpRKG)SpRKG has expertise in interpreting all types of dental and oral imaging such as dental X-rays and CT-scans, MRI, or other radiological investigations to support the diagnosis in the mouth and maxilla.
Diseases Treated by Dentists
Dentists, according to their specialty, have in-depth knowledge of the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of dental and oral diseases. Diseases treated by dentists include:
- Bad breath.
- Cavity.
- Gum disease.
- Prolonged thrush.
- Sensitive teeth.
- Oral cancer.
- candidiasis.
- Oral lichen planus.
- Salivary gland disorders.
- Tartar.
- Broken teeth.
- Tooth impaction.
- Teeth are uneven/aligned/rare.
When Should You See a Dentist?
Often complaints about teeth, gums, and mouth can be handled alone so most people feel no need to go to the dentist. Even though it is better to visit the dentist every six months to maintain oral and dental health. In addition, if there is an abnormality, it can be detected more quickly so that treatment can be carried out immediately.
Visit the dentist especially if you experience these problems:
- loose teeth.
- Cavity.
- Cracked teeth.
- Toothache.
- Swollen or red gums.
- Jaw pain.
- Canker sores do not go away either on the gums or on the tongue.
- There is a lot of plaque/tartar on the teeth.
- Excruciating pain when wisdom teeth grow.
What to prepare before meeting the dentist
Visiting the dentist is often scary, especially for young children. But actually you don't need to worry. Because even if you have to take an action such as pulling a tooth, the dentist will apply local anesthesia so it won't hurt.
During the examination, the doctor will usually do:
- Asking for complaints.
- Ask about eating habits, or habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol.
- Ask about your habits in maintaining dental and oral hygiene.
- Check the overall health of teeth, gums and mouth.
- Take action according to complaints.
- Provide medicines according to the patient's diagnosis and needs, related to problems with teeth, gums, and mouth.
If there are conditions that cannot be treated by a general dentist, a referral may be given so that your dental and oral problems can be treated by a specialist dentist. However, if before your visit to the dentist you had a specific goal, such as wanting to make dentures, veneers, or installing braces, you can just go straight to a specialist dentist according to the required field.