Dentistry is a specialty within medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, preventition and treatment of diseases and disorders relating to the oral cavity. Dentistry itself is further divided into several specialties that dentists can pursue after they complete their general dentistry training.
* Dental Public Health
Dental Public Heath is a specialty which investigates dental epidemiology and studies the social health policies related to dental conditions. It differs from other specialties as it seeks to improve the dental health of communities and populations rather than individuals.
* Endodontics
Endodontics is the specialty that is concerned with the dental pulp. The dental pulp exists at the center of the tooth and consists of living connective tissue. Root canal therapy is the practice most commonly associated with Endodontists.
* Oral and maxillofacial pathology
Oral and maxillofacial pathology is the study of disorders, diseases and dental conditions affecting the oral and maxillofacial region.
* Oral and maxillofacial radiology
Oral and maxillofacial radiology involves the use of diagnostic imaging techniques to examine the craniofacial and dental structures.
* Oral and maxillofacial surgery
Oral and maxillofacial surgery is concerned with treatment of trauma and disease to the oral and maxillofacial region. Extractions, implants and facial surgery are some of the treatments commonly performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons.
Orthodontics is a specialty that focuses on the correction and treatment of malpositioned and misaligned teeth and jaws.
* Periodontics
Periodontics investigates the diseases and disorders affecting the periodontium, which refers to the supporting structures of teeth.
* Pediatric dentistry
Pediatric dentistry is the branch of dentistry that deals with the examination and treatment of dental disorders in children.
* Prosthodontics
Prosthodontics is the area of dentistry focusing on dental prostheses. Common prostheses include dentures and bridges.