If you have never hired a dentist for kids in Encinitas before, you might not be sure what to look for. Dental professionals can vary considerably in terms of scope and field of specialization, and it is important to make sure that you are going to the right one for your needs. Most dentists working in the Encinitas area are general dentists, which means that they are capable of handling most of the dental care needs of your and your children. Other types of dentists include:
• Pediatric dentists
• Endodontists
• Prosthodontists
• Oral pathologists
• Oral/maxillofacial surgeons
• Orthodontists
• Periodontists
Pediatric Dentists or pedodontists have been trained specifically to deal with children’s dental health issues. They are most similar to general dentists, although they have extensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of children’s teeth, gums, and mouth.
Endodontists are dental specialists that diagnose and treat conditions affecting the tooth pulp. They are also often called upon to deal with root canal cases, although most general dentists are capable of performing such tasks as well.
Prosthodontists are the dental professionals you should go to if you need to deal with issues pertaining to crowns, bridges and dentures. Because of the nature of their work, such dentists almost never deal with children patients.
Oral pathologists tend to work in a variety of cases and with many different medical and even police personnel. They specialize particularly in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the mouth. Many of these types of dentists have undergone extensive training in forensic dentistry.
Dental professionals tasked with the removal of cysts, tumors, and teeth are called oral or maxillofacial surgeons. These dentists also routinely deal with patients that have fractures in the jaw or other related issues. In most cases, the skills of these professionals and the methods that they employ overlap with those of plastic surgeons who deal with issues related to the jaw and the face.
Orthodontists are dental care professionals that work with patients who have problems with teeth that are not positioned properly. Their training and the nature of their work often requires them to install braces or other dental appliances for the purposes of repositioning teeth.
Finally, periodontists are dentists who are trained in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the gums.
When you are looking for a dentist for kids in Encinitas, a general practitioner would probably be appropriate for your needs in the vat majority of the cases. These dental care professionals can handle most basic diagnosis and treatment procedures, and they may be able to deal with more complex procedures besides. General dentists that specialize in the care and treatment of children will also be able to handle issue specific to the unique needs of a younger clientele.
Hiring a dentist can be a complex matter if your children have specific issues that need addressing. For most cases however, a good dentist for kids in Encinitas should be the only dental care professional you will need. An essential ally in preserving the dental health of your children, these dentists can be invaluable as your child grows into adulthood.
To learn more about dentist for kids in Encinitas, call Carlsbad Children’s Dentistry at 760-633-1131.