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Who is a dentist?

A dentist specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating oral conditions. They hold a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) degree. Aspiring dentists must complete their undergraduate degree in a related field, such as biology, health, chemistry, or math, and then enroll in dental school. 

After four years of dental school training in biomedical science studies and clinical practice, dentists must acquire a dental license by passing written and practical exams. Some dentists may get certified by taking the National Board Dental Examination. Depending on the specialty area, some may need to complete a one—to three-year postgraduate residency.

Specialties within dentistry

The National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards (NCRDSCB) recognizes the following dental specialties:

• Endodontist: An endodontist repairs your tooth's inner tissues, primarily composed of nerves and blood vessels. They use a combination of techniques and procedures targeting your root canal system. An orthodontic straightens your teeth and jaws. They put braces on patients who have problems with misaligned teeth and treat any underlying bone issues that may be causing related problems elsewhere in the body. A periodontist specializes in addressing gum diseases and disorders.
• Prosthodontist: A prosthodontist specializes in oral prosthetics and cosmetic dentistry, such as placing dental implants to replace missing or decaying teeth. Lastly, a pediatric dentist specializes in treating children's teeth. They may collaborate with other specialists if necessary.
• Orthodontist: An orthodontist concentrates on diagnosing, treating, and preventing malocclusion (bad bites of the teeth) and the skeletal and neuromuscular abnormalities that can impede the development of oral and facial structures.
• Periodontist: These dentists specialize in treating conditions that affect soft tissues around your teeth, such as bone loss, gingivitis, and gum recession. Periodontists also offer surgical procedures beyond general dentistry's scope, such as a gum graft, bone graft, or frenectomy (an oral surgery that helps treat lip or tongue ties). 
• Dental anesthesiologist: Dental anesthesiologists help manage patients' pain and anxiety during oral, dental, and maxillofacial surgeries (involving jaws and the face) and other diagnostic procedures. 
• Oral and maxillofacial (OMF) surgeon: OMF surgeons diagnose and treat medical conditions affecting the jaws, face, mouth, and neck. This specialty bridges medicine and dentistry as OMF surgeons focus on issues requiring expertise and medical knowledge from both backgrounds, such as facial pain and disproportion, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, and salivary gland diseases.
• Oral and maxillofacial radiologist: OMF radiology is a specialty of dentistry that deals with the production and interpretation of radiographic images, like MRIs and CT scans, used to diagnose and treat oral and maxillofacial diseases.
• Oral and maxillofacial pathologists (OMF): They focus on diagnosing and managing disorders of the oral and maxillofacial regions (jaws, face, mouth, and neck).
• Pediatric dentist: Pediatric dentists, or pedodontists, diagnose and treat oral and dental conditions in infants, children, and teenagers under 18. 
• Orofacial pain (OFP) specialist: OFP specialists help diagnose, treat, and manage disorders that cause pain in the jaws, face, neck, and mouth. They also treat conditions like headache, tinnitus, dizziness, poor coordination, and tingling sensations.
• Oral medicine specialist: Oral medicine is a non-surgical specialty that focuses on providing oral healthcare for medically complex patients. Oral medicine specialists can only perform non-surgical treatment procedures, such as biopsies and minor excisions.
• Dental public health (DPH): DPH is a non-clinical discipline that focuses on assessing dental needs and whether the existing dental healthcare framework meets those needs. DPH experts conduct research in areas like disease prevention, population-based dentistry, and oral health surveillance.

Besides these, there are four broad subspecialties in dentistry:

• General dentistry: General dentists are your primary dental care providers. Their responsibilities include diagnosing and treating dental conditions and managing oral health. Their services include root canal surgeries, periodontal (gum) care, and non-metal dental fillings. 
• Cosmetic dentistry: These dentists offer teeth repair, brightening, straightening, and reshaping services. They focus on improving your smile by providing teeth whitening, dental bonding, veneer restoration, white fillings, and brace fittings.
• Restorative dentistry: Restorative dentists enhance your oral health and chewing functions by repairing or replacing tooth damage. You should see a restorative dentist if you have cavities, tooth decay, or a broken or missing tooth. 
• Geriatric dentistry: Older adults experience symptoms of tooth decay and gum disorders. They are also usually on various medications for other health conditions that might affect their oral health. Geriatric dentists are concerned with ensuring dental health and hygiene for adults over 65 while keeping these factors in mind.

When to consult a dentist?

If your family has a history of gum disease, you should consult a dentist near you to ensure the detection and management of any potential long-term risk factors. If your gums are puffy and bleed when you brush or floss, seeing a dentist may help. Also, if you have fillings, dental implants, crowns, or dentures, regularly visiting your dentist can be a good decision for your oral health. You might also need to see a dentist if you wish to make aesthetic improvements to your smile or if you have persistent bad breath that adversely affects your self-esteem. 

Regular oral check-ups can help detect and treat painful oral health issues early. They also help patients maintain their dental hygiene routines. You can get a routine treatment consultation at a conventional dental office. If your primary provider has diagnosed you with oral health issues requiring surgery, you must visit a dentist specializing in your unique case. 

You should also see a dentist if you are pregnant, actively consume tobacco, or have oral illnesses like mouth cancer or mouth ulcers. Mouth cancer affects millions in the United States. Its primary risk factors are tobacco and alcohol consumption. The sickness causes cancerous cells in parts of the mouth or oral cavity, like the lips, gums, tongue, the inner part of the cheeks, and nearby mouth areas. Mouth ulcers, on the other hand, are small and painful lesions. They develop in the mouth or at the base of the gums. They can make eating, drinking, and talking uncomfortable. They are also known as aphthae when they appear in the mouth and not on the lips. Regular dentist visits can help detect oral diseases in their early stages. 

What to expect during a dental appointment? 

Whether you have toothache, bleeding gums, or any other oral symptoms, visiting a dentist near you is advisable. However, many people find dental consultations daunting and delay timely care, worsening the issues further. One of the best ways to feel at ease is to understand what the appointment entails. So, here's everything you need to know about dental visits: 

• Discussion of symptoms: The dentist will begin the appointment by discussing your oral health concerns. At this point, you must share every detail, including your symptoms, when they started, what triggers them, what makes them better or worse, and how they affect your life. 
• Medical history review: After understanding your symptoms, the dentist will ask multiple questions about your overall health, including your health conditions, allergies, medications, and past dental procedures. They may also discuss your lifestyle habits, including your tobacco use, alcohol intake, and everyday diet. 
• Dental exam and X-rays: The dentist will perform a comprehensive dental exam to examine your teeth, gums, and other parts of your mouth. Additionally, they will conduct dental X-rays to better view your teeth and bone structure if required. 
• Treatment plan: Once the dentist arrives at an accurate diagnosis, they will explain your oral condition and discuss relevant treatment options. In addition to prescribing medications and recommending dental procedures, they will offer oral hygiene tips. 
• Q&A: During the appointment, the dentist will encourage you to discuss your queries regarding the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of dental conditions. 
• Follow-up care: Before you leave, the dentist may schedule follow-up appointments to conduct further treatment, monitor progress, and ensure your continued oral well-being. 

How do you find the best dentists near you in Milwaukee, WI?

Treating your dental issues on time is healthy and helpful in the long run. Zocdoc can help you find the top-rated dentists in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Enter your location, specialty (dentists), and preferred appointment date. You can filter specialists based on gender, hospital affiliations, and whether they treat children.

Every dentist has a dedicated profile on Zocdoc, where you can view their educational qualifications, board certifications, clinical interests, specializations, practice history, certifications, and spoken languages. You can also check the verified patient reviews to help you make an informed decision.

Zocdoc also helps make your insurance submission process hassle-free by letting you filter dentists according to those who accept your plan. Add your insurance carrier's name in the search query to utilize the feature. If you are unsure about your insurance plan, Zocdoc's insurance detector can help you. You can also use Zocdoc's insurance card capture feature to submit your medical insurance information before making an appointment. 

If you do not have dental insurance, you can select "I'm paying for myself" in the search bar. Once you acknowledge you are ready to pay out-of-pocket, you will receive a list of providers offering consultations to patients without a health plan. If you have any more insurance-related queries, you can check out our patient help center page for detailed information. 

Once you select a dentist near you, click the book appointment option, and Zocdoc will instantly help you book your first session. Zocdoc also allows you to book video appointments and in-person visits. Look for the purple video icon on your doctor's profile or filter the video appointment selection. 

All bookings with Zocdoc are entirely free, fast, and secure.

Statistics on oral cavity and pharynx cancer in Wisconsin

According to data published by the American Cancer Society, there will be over 1060 new oral cavity and pharynx cancer cases in Wisconsin in 2022. Wisconsin's estimated deaths from oral cavity and pharynx cancer stand at around 240 in 2022. As per the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the average annual rate of oral cavity and pharynx cancer incidences and mortality rates have decreased slightly or remained consistent over the past decade in Wisconsin. 

Data from 2014 to 2018 by the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR) suggests that the average annual rate of oral cavity and pharynx cancer incidences per 100,000 Wisconsin population is 12.4%. Between 2014 and 2018, the average yearly rate of oral cavity and pharynx cancer incidences per 100,000 Wisconsin women stood at 7.2%, while the corresponding figure for Wisconsin men stood at over 18%, highlighting a staggering difference. 

The latest data by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for 2015 to 2019 suggests that the average annual death rate of oral cavity and pharynx cancer in Wisconsin stands at 2.6%. When understanding the statistics based on gender, we find that the average yearly death rate of oral cavity and pharynx cancer in Wisconsin women was about 1.5%. In comparison, for men, it was around 3.9%.

Sources

WebMD[1]

WebMD[2]

WebMD[3]

Mouth Healthy[1]

Mouth Healthy[2]

New York Dental Office

Healthline

Mayo Clinic

Wisconsin Department of Health Services

American Cancer Society

White Oak Family Dental

Cleveland Clinic[1]

Cleveland Clinic[2]

Cleveland Clinic[3]

Verywell Health

News-Medical Life Sciences

American Dental Education Association[1]

American Dental Education Association[2]

British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Heritage Park Dental

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.