Who is a dentist?
A dentist is a professional trained to maintain the health of teeth, gums, and other oral tissues. They prevent, diagnose, and treat conditions in the oral cavity. They help maintain good dental hygiene, directly impacting an individual's overall well-being.
Dentists work with a team to provide the best care to their patients. While a dentist leads the team, it consists of dental assistants, dental hygienists, and lab technicians. This team approach works out smoothly in dentistry as it promotes comprehensive, convenient, cost-effective, and efficient continuity of care.
What does a dentist do?
Dentists have critical roles and responsibilities to provide quality dental care and treatment to their patients. Their list of duties includes:
- Designing treatment plans to maintain or restore a patient's oral health.
- Diagnosing oral diseases
- Interpreting diagnostic tests and X-rays
- Managing oral trauma and other emergencies related to it
- Monitoring the development and growth of the jaws & teeth
- Performing surgical procedures on the oral cavity's bone, teeth, and soft tissues
- Safe administration of anesthetics
What are the educational qualifications of a dentist?
A dentist undergoes a similar path of study to that of a medical doctor. The first stage is to earn an undergraduate degree in chemistry, biology, health, or math, followed by a dental admissions test to apply for dental schools.Â
A dental program comprises two years of biomedical science studies and two years of clinical practice, after which an individual earns either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) degree.Â
Some dentists get certified by appearing for the National Board Dental Examination. Depending on their specialty area, some may have to complete a one—to three-year postgraduate residency.
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What are the specializations within dentistry?
Various subspecialties within dentistry provide patients with the best care and rehabilitation. Mentioned below is a list of subspecialties authorized by the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialities and Certifying Boards:
- Dental anesthesiology manages pain, anxiety, and overall patient health during dental, oral, maxillofacial, and supplementary surgical or diagnostic procedures throughout the treatment period.
- Dental public health is a para-clinical branch that helps prevent dental disorders through organized community efforts. These dental specialists identify critical oral health issues and formulate effective strategies to overcome them.
- Endodontics treats dental pulp disorders, including the nerves, blood supply, and other fibrous tissues of the tooth. A root canal is a standard teeth-saving procedure practiced by endodontists.
- Oral and maxillofacial pathology studies the histopathology of the mouth, teeth, and surrounding regions and aids in diagnosing complex oral disorders.
- Oral and maxillofacial radiology's field of specialization focuses on performing X-rays and other imaging procedures and scans to diagnose and manage oral disorders—this helps dentists develop effective treatment plans for their patients.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery provides surgical interventions for mouth-related diseases and injuries. It especially emphasizes the treatment of oral cancer and other head and neck cancers.
- Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics specialize in correcting dental and facial irregularities. It involves correcting misaligned teeth and jaws with orthotic devices such as braces, aligners, retainers, etc.
- Periodontology studies diseases related to the gums, periodontal ligaments, and the bones supporting the teeth. Cavities can often erode the gums and cause bone loss, requiring the care of a periodontist.
- Prosthodontics provides options for replacing missing teeth or restoring natural teeth and oral structures with artificial devices like dentures. It is specifically helpful in the older population.
What conditions do dentists treat?
Dentists diagnose and treat various conditions, including the following:
- Cavities: Cavities (tooth decay) are a common ailment. They occur when plaque combines with the starches and/or sugar in the food you eat to produce acids that attack tooth enamel. To prevent tooth decay, brush twice daily, floss daily, avoid high-sugar food, and get regular dental check-ups.
- Tooth erosion: Tooth erosion refers to the loss of tooth structure caused by acid attacking tooth enamel. Early symptoms of this condition include tooth sensitivity, rounded teeth, teeth discoloration or yellowing, and sandblasted appearance. In its advanced stages, tooth erosion can lead to cracked teeth, extreme sensitivity, and little dents (erosion lesions) on the biting areas of your teeth. While tooth erosion is common, proper oral care can easily prevent it.
- Root infection: Root infections develop if tooth decay is not treated correctly, allowing bacteria to weaken the root of your teeth. Long-lasting, throbbing tooth pain is one of the main symptoms of this condition. A bad taste in your mouth, yellowish or greenish pus discharge, and red and swollen tissue near the affected tooth often accompany it.
Why should one visit a dentist?
One should visit a dentist for preventive care. The dentist checks for signs of mouth cancer, gum problems, or dental decay. Additionally, they clean the teeth to remove tartar and plaque, which can cause dental caries and gum diseases.
One should also visit a dentist if they feel pain or discomfort in their teeth, mouth, jaws, or gums. Pain/swelling in the neck, mouth, or face can indicate something isn't right. Similarly, if one notices their gums are bleeding or having trouble chewing or swallowing, they should schedule a dental care visit to understand the causes.
If a patient has already had a dental procedure, a dentist ensures everything is still as it should be. If a patient is pregnant, uses tobacco, or has ongoing medical issues, a dentist can help coordinate their health care with their medical doctor.
What should you expect during the first visit to a dentist?
During a routine visit to a dentist near you, you can expect the following:
First, you will check in at the front desk and complete the necessary paperwork, which may include updated insurance information and a health history questionnaire. Next, if you haven't had dental X-rays in the past year, your dentist will likely take some. X-rays help the dentist identify any problems with your teeth and gums that may not be visible during a visual exam.
Afterward, a dental hygienist cleans the teeth to remove plaque and tartar buildup. They use various tools, including a scaler and a polishing brush. After the cleaning, your dentist thoroughly examines the teeth, gums, and mouth. Further, they check for signs of cavities, gum disease, and other problems.
Finally, your dentist will discuss the findings and recommend the necessary treatment plans. These may include fillings, sealants, extractions, or other procedures. If you have any specific concerns or questions, you can ask your dentist during your visit.
Comprehensive restorative procedures by general dentists
General dentists act as the primary guardians against oral health issues. They focus on preventative care and minor restorative treatments but can also perform various dental procedures, including cosmetic ones.
Some restorative procedures performed by dentists include:
- Bonding: Composite resins are used by dentists to adhere components to a tooth's surface for restorative procedures. They repair chipped or cracked teeth by applying an enamel-like composite material to the tooth's surface, sculpting it into shape, and polishing it until the crack or chip is invisible.
- Orthodontics: Dentists correct misaligned teeth and malocclusions using braces and retainers. This functional and cosmetic treatment makes orthodontics a popular field in dentistry.
- Root canals: During a root canal, dentists remove infected pulp tissue from the tooth's root chamber, fill the hollowed-out tooth with an antibacterial filling, and cap it with a crown for protection. While endodontists specialize in root canal therapy, general dentists perform this restorative procedure.
- Dental fillings: Dentists can restore teeth that have structural damage by using dental fillings. After removing the problematic tooth structure, they restore it with gold, amalgam, composite resin, or porcelain materials. Dentists work with patients to select the appropriate filling material.
- Dental bridges: Dentists replace missing teeth with artificial replacements, or pontics, held in place by composite materials anchored to surrounding teeth. General dentists, family dentists, prosthodontists, and cosmetic dentists perform bridge procedures, and the latest materials, technology, and expertise are available at varying rates.
- Dentures: Dentists use dentures to replace missing or irreparably damaged teeth. General dentists, family dentists, prosthodontists, and cosmetic dentists can perform this procedure, though their access to the latest materials, technology, and expertise may differ.
- Dental crowns: Dentists repair extensively decayed or damaged teeth with crowns made from gold, silver, porcelain, or a combination of porcelain and metal. Some dentists use CAD/CAM technology for crown fabrication. In some instances, dental veneers may replace the need for a crown. Though expertise varies, general dentists, family dentists, prosthodontists, pediatric dentists, and cosmetic dentists perform crown procedures.
- Periodontal treatment: Dentists treat early gum disease with tooth scaling, medicated mouthwash, and proper flossing and cleaning at three-month intervals. Later-stage gum disease treatment may involve deep-plane scaling and laser surgery.
- Laser procedures: Dentists can sometimes use laser dentistry instead of drilling or other invasive equipment. Lasers are used in bonding procedures, tooth decay removal, scaling, periodontal surgery, tooth whitening, and sleep apnea treatment.
- Oral and maxillofacial procedures: Dentists treat abnormalities of the mouth, jaw, and face, ranging from minor treatments to major surgeries. Procedures include dental implants, TMJ treatments, reconstructive surgery, and cleft lip and palate procedures.
Finding the right dentist near you in Roswell, Georgia
Do you have a toothache that won't stop hurting and hinders your day-to-day activities? Do your teeth feel extremely sensitive when you consume anything hot or cold? If so, a dentist can provide accurate diagnoses and the best treatment options. With Zocdoc, you can easily find a good dentist who accepts your insurance plan in Roswell, GA.
Enter your location (Roswell, Georgia), doctor's specialty (dentist), and preferred appointment date. An extensive list of medical and healthcare professionals will appear based on your search criteria.
To locate a dentist who takes your insurance, include your insurance details (plan and provider) in the Zocdoc search. You can use it to view in-network doctors who accept your plan. We will scan and show your insurance plan when you search for providers on your phone using the Zocdoc app. You can also upload a photo of your insurance card (this option is not available for vision or dental plans). It will assist you in locating precise in-network provider results. For additional insurance-related information and answers, visit the patient help center at Zocdoc.Â
At Zocdoc, transparency is of utmost importance. Hence, each dentist's profile includes a brief introduction, educational qualifications, practice location, visit reasons, and, most notably, verified testimonials.
After a patient's appointment, Zocdoc asks them to leave a rating and review. Hence, one of the ideal ways to find a trained and skilled dentist in Roswell is by reading about other patients' experiences. Furthermore, you can filter out your results by gender if you are looking for a male or female dentist in Roswell. Video appointments are also an option if you cannot attend in-person visits. You can book one by looking for a purple video icon on dentists' profiles or by filtering the video appointment selection.Â
Zocdoc makes booking an appointment with a dentist near you simple, secure, and completely free!
Dental health statistics for Georgia and the US
The American Cancer Society estimated that in 2025, there will be around 59,660 new cases of oral cavity and pharynx cancer, and approximately 12,770 deaths will be caused by the disease. For Georgia, the numbers were around 1,870 (new cases) and about 410 (deaths).Â
According to America's Health Rankings, as of September 2024, Georgia had approximately 47.7 general dentists and advanced practice dental therapists per 100,000 population. This number was significantly lower than the national average (around 65.8), and Georgia recorded the fourth-lowest number of dentists per 100,000 population among all US states.
America's Health Rankings data also shows that nearly 59.9% of adults in Georgia (compared to the national average of approximately 66%) reported visiting a dentist or a dental clinic during the past year. Around 62.3% of women and around 57.4% of men visited the dentist within the previous year. The percentages of adults with dental visits were approximately 57.5% (aged 18-44), 62.3% (aged 45-64), and 61.8% (aged 65 and higher).
Sources
American Cancer Society
Maine Dental Association
American Dental Education Association
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
Consumer Guide to Dentistry
America’s Health Rankings[1]
America’s Health Rankings[2]
Verywell Health[1]
Verywell Health[2]
Cleveland Clinic
Healthline
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