While dentistry has its many specialties such as Orthodontics, Endodontics and Periodontics, there are also many other categories of dentistry that a nonspecialist dentist may focus on. These can include areas such as:
– Implantology – focusing on providing dental implants
– Occlusion – treating patients with dental bite issues
– Restorative/Operative Dentistry – restoring broken/damaged teeth
– Preventive Dentistry – focusing on providing more information for preventing dental diseases
Some dentists may practice solely in these areas, but it is important to realise that this does not necessarily make them specialists. Rather, they have chosen to offer their services in their area of choice. Such dentists may have acquired a deep knowledge of their chosen area through experience, but unless they have completed at least 2 years of postdoctoral education in a specialization, they cannot legally call themselves specialists.
When visiting a practice that places emphasis on one particular area, it is wise to judge each situation based on the opinions of references from other practitioners, and your confidence in the practitioner involved.