Dental Specialties

Dentist in Towson, MD

What is a Prosthodontist?

A prosthodontist is a dentist who specializes in cosmetic dentistry and the restoration and replacement of teeth. Prosthodontists receive two to three years of additional training after dental school in a program accredited by the American Dental Association. Dr. Patrick Ousborne completed his prosthodontic education at the University of Florida.

What is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS)?

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are dentists specializing in surgery of the mouth, face, and jaws. After four years of dental school, surgeons received four to seven years of hospital-based surgical and medical training, preparing them to do a wide range of procedures including all types of surgery of both the jaw bones and soft tissues of the face, mouth, and neck, as well as the teeth.

What is a Periodontist?

Periodontists are dentists who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease. They have had extensive training with two additional years of study after dental school. As specialists, they devote their time, energy, and skill to helping patients care for their gums and supporting bone structure. A periodontist is one of the eight dental specialists recognized by the American Dental Association .

What is an Endodontist?

After examining and diagnosing, the endodontist treats diseases and destructive processes, including injuries and abnormalities, the nerves in the teeth, and surrounding tissues of the teeth.

Endodontists interpret radiographs and do nerve tests to determine pulp vitality (nerve life), and periapical tissue condition. They evaluate their findings and prescribe a method of treatment to prevent loss of teeth.

What is a Pedodontist?

A pedodontist, children’s dentist has at least two additional years of training after dental school. The additional training focuses on management and treatment of a child’s developing teeth, child behavior, physical growth and development, and the special needs of children’s dentistry. Although dentists generally can manage your child’s oral health care, a pedodontist, the staff, and even the office decor are all specialized to care for children and to put them at ease. If your child has special needs, care from a pediatric dentist should be considered.

What is an Orthodontist?

An orthodontist prevents and treats mouth, teeth, and jaw alignment problems. Using braces, retainers, and other devises, an orthodontist helps straighten a person’s teeth and correct jaw alignment.

Orthodontists treat kids and adults for many problems, including having crowded or overlapping teeth or having problems with jaw growth and tooth development. These teeth and jaw problems may be caused by tooth decay, losing baby teeth too soon, accidents, or habits like thumb sucking. Often the problems also can be genetic.