Dental Specialties and The Differences Between Them | Huntington Beach Dentist

Believe it or not, not all dentists are the same. In fact, there is a variety of specialties within this field that allow individuals to specialize in different aspects of oral care. Here is a list of dental specialties, and the areas of focus they attend to.

A Prosthodontist repairs deficient teeth and replaces missing ones. As their name suggests, they work with prosthetics and custom-fit dentures and crowns as permanent replacements for missing teeth. 

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons treat diseases, injuries, and defects of hard and soft oral tissues. They may work with patients whose cases require work on the jaw, face, and mouth with issues ranging from misalignment to tumors and cysts within this region.

Endodontists diagnose, treat, and prevent infections and injuries to the pulp or nerves of teeth. You may seek the opinion of an endodontist if you experience acute pain in your tooth, injure a tooth or notice swelling around the teeth and gums. They perform root canals, treat traumatic dental injuries and apply dental implants.

An orthodontist specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and correction of misaligned bites, and the neuromuscular and skeletal abnormalities of orofacial structures. You may visit an orthodontist to evaluate jaw alignment, straighten teeth, close gaps or improve speech. If you are referred to an orthodontist by your dentist, it is important to make a visit to better understand how you may improve your oral alignment as misalignment can lead to serious health concerns later on.

Periodontists are experts on gum health. Your dentist will recommend a periodontist if you show signs of gingivitis (gum disease), have a complex case of gingivitis, or are at risk of tooth loss. Periodontists will aid in the prevention of gum disease, and support your natural or manmade teeth as they monitor your soft oral tissues.

If you would like to find out more about the services and procedures we provide, contact Dr. Gamarnik at 714-842-5626 to schedule a consultation or visit www.hbadvanceddentalspecialists.com for additional information.

Dr. Rudy Gamarnik proudly serves Huntington Beach and all surrounding areas.

Don’t Be Scared of the Dental Implant | Huntington Beach Dentist

There are very few pains that we go through that drive us insane more than a toothache. There’s just something about the constant throbbing pain inside our heads that can render us helpless. And it is at this point that we call our dental professional to help rid us of this maddening condition. We will dodge the dentist chair when everything is pain-free, even when it can prevent the pain from occurring at all.

For the most severe dental problems, one of the common treatments is the dental implant. Where fillings remove small areas of decay with a synthetic substance and crowns place a cap over an existing tooth root, implants replace the entire tooth – root and all. The process is involved, but done properly, a tooth implant can last many decades, potentially even a lifetime. Sound scary? You aren’t alone – but there is nothing to fear.

The procedure starts by removing the existing tooth and root, then placing a titanium implant post into the patient’s jawbone. Once firmly bonded, the dentist will attach a second metal connector – known as an abutment – to the post, which provides a connecting surface for the replacement tooth. The dentist will then make impressions so that the replacement crown perfectly matches your existing bite. Finally, the crown will be attached permanently, providing a solid, permanent tooth.

The overall process typically involves very little pain – while there may be some pain in the initial extraction, the rest of the procedure can typically be done under local anesthesia. The procedure does take a few months to allow the post to properly bond to the jawbone, but once complete, the patient will have a natural looking, durable, convenient replacement for even the most severely damaged teeth.

If you would like to find out more about dental implants, contact Dr. Gamarnik at 714-842-5626 to schedule a consultation or visit www.hbadvanceddentalspecialists.com for additional information.

Dr. Rudy Gamarnik proudly serves Huntington Beach and all surrounding areas.