Most people receive all of their dental treatment from a general dentist. A general dentist may perform any type of dental services, but may refer his or her patients to a specialist for more complex procedures. To be a specialist, a dentist must have additional training in the specialty. This training consists of postgraduate classes and hands-on experience and often includes a formal residency program in a dental teaching clinic. Oral Surgeons remove impacted teeth and repair fractures of the jaw and other damage to the bone structure around the mouth.
Orthodontists correct misaligned teeth and jaws, usually by applying braces.
Pediatric Dentists and Pedodontists generally limit their practices to children and teenagers. Periodontists treat diseases of the gums. Prosthodontists generally specialize in replacing missing natural teeth with bridges and dentures. Oral Pathologists provide diagnosis of diseases of the mouth from study of tissue samples. If the dentist is participating, Northeast Delta Dental will make payment directly to the dentist.