Dentist in Richmond: List of Specialties  

When looking for a dentist in Richmond, one of the many important things to consider is his or her specialty. There are different types of dentists, and going to one that does not specialise in the service that you need can be a waste of time. Described below are the most common types of dentists:
 Family dentist. A family dentist is also called general dentist because he or she deals with overall oral health. This dentist performs different types of regular dental procedures such as oral check-up, prophylaxis or cleaning, fillings, crowns, and bridges. A family dentist also provides services to children.
 Periodontist. A periodontist specializes in the care of the gums and other structures supporting the teeth. He or she is the dentist that you should see if you are experiencing sensitive teeth or receding gums. He or she is an expert in gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis.
 Orthodontist. An orthodontist is a dentist whose main function is to correct the alignment of the teeth and jaw bones. This dentist also improves bites and gives remedies to crowded teeth. To do that, this dentist may have to install devices such as braces or orthodontics, mouth guards, retainers, and facemasks.
 Prosthodontist. A prosthodontist is a dentist who specialises in oral prosthetics. His or her job is to replace damaged or missing teeth with appliances like crowns, bridges, veneers, and implants. They are also most popular for dealing with dentures or false teeth. Some family dentists are able to perform this type of procedure.
 Oral surgeon. An oral surgeon performs the more invasive procedures such as complicated tooth extractions, wisdom tooth removals, and jaw surgeries. He or she also deals with broken bones in the face. A dentist will need to be trained and certified in this area before he or she can perform the aforesaid procedures.