You Want to Send Me to a "WHAT-A-DONTIST?"

"Dr. Chandler, you want to send me to the Oral Surgeon to get that Root Canal done?" Answer, "No, Mrs Smith, I'm sending you to the Edodontist. I usually send people to the Oral Surgeon to have teeth removed." Mrs Smith, "So what does the Endodontist do?" This is a typical conversation I have with patients when I find I necessary to send them to a specialist. As a General Dentist I perform many of the same procedures that a specialist would but there are times I find it necessary to refer a patient to a specialist. Currently the American Dental Association recognizes 9 Dental Specialties. Below is a simple list of specialties and a brief description of what each specialty does. Hopefully this list will help the next time your dentist needs to send you to a specialist.

• Periodontist- This is a specialist that is trained to treat all types of gum disease. Many periodontist perform other procedures such as extractions, placement of dental implants, sinus lifts, perio plastic surgery as well as many other procedures. For some actual before and afters of periodontal procedures click here.


• Prosthodontist-Prosthodontics is the dental specialty pertaining 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


• Oral Surgeon- Oral Surgeons are often times associated with the removal of wisdom teeth. Oral surgeons do much more than just removing teeth. They have procedures ranging form dental implants to jaw surgery.


• Endodontist- An Endodontist is typically known for performing complex root canals as well as root canal surgeries


• Pedodontist- Also known as a Pediatric Dentist is mostly known for treatment of small and some adolescent children.


• Orthodontist- An orthodontist is primarily known for placing braces an other orthodontic appliances.


• Public Health, Oral Pathology, and Oral Radiology are also listed specialties.

Cosmetic Dentistry and Implant Dentistry are not currently recognized as specialties by the American Dental Association. There are dentist who have trained extensively in these fields, but as stated previously there are no specialist in Cosmetic or Implant Dentistry.

My description of the Dental Specialties is very brief. I have attached a link to each specialties organization for more information.

Michael L Chandler, DDS, Practicing Complete Family Dentistry in Edmond Oklahoma

405-330-4630 www.mlcdental.com