Orthodontics focuses on teeth alignment. Orthodontists specialize in treating and preventing facial irregularities. They correct crooked teeth, overbites and perform jaw alignment. They use various devices to help correct their patients' problems, including orthodontic braces and retainers. Orthodontics is a specialized course in dentistry that is studied after completing the basic dentistry degree.
This is specialized type of dentistry also done by dental students after attaining their basic degree. Cosmetic dentists generally deal in helping get that "perfect" smile. They enhance the physical appearance of the teeth, mouth, gums and jawline. They do this by whitening a person's teeth, giving them dental implants, porcelain veneers and dentures. Some cosmetic dentists specialize in tooth shaping. They may also use accelerated orthodontic procedures that reduce the amount of time their patients use braces.
To specialize in dental pathology, you must study oral and maxillofacial pathology after completing general dentistry. This specialized training takes about two years. A dental pathologist is like a detective in the dental world. Through radiology, clinical examinations, the use of the microscope and various other methods, they discover facts related to dental diseases. They use these facts to get answers to a patient's problem. They find out what is causing pain, inflammation and infection in a person's mouth.
Pedodontistry focuses on the dental needs of children and young teens. The main work of a pedodontist or pediatric dentist is to provide preventative and therapeutic care for children. Children have different dental health needs than adults, in part because their teeth are still developing. Pediatric dentists also aim to make dental visits pleasant for children so they continue to visit dentists regularly as they age.