Your Teeth in the Hands of a Specialist Your Teeth in the Hands of a Specialist

Your Teeth in the Hands of a Specialist

For your smile 2 August, 2016 María Alejandra Tavera

The quality of dental care is improved and is more reliable when it is in the hands of experts.

Miguel Alberto Urrea, Dentist, practitioner of Coomeva Private Healthcare .

In dentistry, as with other healthcare disciplines, there are different areas of expertise that allow for proper treatment to be provided according to the type of disease, cause of the disease, age or patient condition. Dental specialties include: orthodontics, periodontics, endodontics, oral rehabilitation, dentistry and oral surgery, maxillofacial surgery, oral and reconstructive implantology, oral pathology, pediatric dentistry and oral radiology.

Generally, patients see a general or primary care dentist and if the dentist detects a problem that requires specialized attention, they refer the patient to the appropriate specialist, which is why it is important to know what each of the specialists do.

Miguel Alberto Urrea, a dentist with a specialty in oral and reconstructive implantology indicated that, “In general, people go to the dentist only when they are in pain, but the recommendation is to go every six months because there are some diseases where pain is not present, such as gum disease.”

It is important to note that when someone is going through cancer therapy, they cannot receive periodontal treatments or surgeries, except for the occasional need and with the consent of the medical provider.

Learn what each of these specialties is about, what they do and when they should be visited.



This treatment may be needed when teeth are in a bad position, have spaces between them, are crooked or if there are bite problems. Treatment generally lasts between 18 and 24 months and can be permanently attached (with braces) or applied with a removable device. Orthodontics is not just used for esthetic reasons, having proper positioning is fundamental to the correct functioning of the whole system.



This is the specialty that diagnoses and treats all diseases that affect the tissues that support the teeth such as the gums and bone as well as the #implants that substitute them, in order to maintain the health, function and esthetics of the teeth and the tissue that surrounds them. The most common disease is gingivitis, which is caused by the accumulation of plaque. Over time, plaque damages other tissues causing periodontitis and there is a risk of even losing the tooth.


In the majority of cases, after recovering from periodontal treatment, the teeth return to their original state; the patient, however, must maintain good oral health and keep their regular check-ups.



This specialty treats diseases that are related to dental pulp (tooth nerve). This pulp is extracted because it is necrotic (dead) or damaged. The space inside the tooth where the extracted nerve was located is cleaned, filled with a special material and is sealed. The most common causes of nerve damage or death of the dental nerve are injuries due to serious impacts to the root of the tooth, fractures or deep cavities.


Oral Rehabilitation

This is a specialty that restores the shape, function, esthetics and the overall aspect of the oral area. It can replace lost teeth or restore those that are in poor condition through the use of permanent prosthesis, removable prosthesis, partial prosthesis, complete prosthesis veneers and implants.


Dentistry and oral surgery

This specialty diagnoses and treats different diseases of the oral and maxillofacial system (structures that are part of the oral cavity), and performs wisdom teeth extractions, frenectomies (surgical removal of an abnormal frenulum of the lip or tongue), cyst removals, removal of lesions and tumors, apicoectomies (extraction of the root and surrounding tissues that are infected), alveoloplasties and biopsies.


Maxillofacial surgery

The intervention of surgical procedures is needed when the jaw structures encounter problems such as size and position deformations. This surgery can also correct an asymmetric balance between the jaw and the chin and can achieve an esthetic and even aspect for the face, facilitating a normal and functional bite.


Oral and reconstructive implantology

When a tooth is lost, it can be replaced with an implant and crown. The implant is a titanium screw that takes the place of a dental root. Implantology seeks to achieve the improved esthetics and functioning of the mouth, to the point where an artificial tooth can appear natural.


Pediatric dentistry

This specialty focuses on the dental health of children between ages 3 and 12. It prepares them so they can understand the importance of taking care of their teeth and gets them familiar with visiting an oral healthcare professional. During this age, oral complications can be prevented, diagnosed and corrected when they are just starting so that through the use of preventive orthodontic treatment and orthopedic treatments, treatments can be shorter and less invasive.


Oral pathology

This specialty identifies and treats diseases and disorders located in the mouth, upper jaw, lower jaw and other oral structures and connects them with systemic diseases or conditions.


Oral radiology

This specialty performs oral medical imaging analysis (x-rays, CAT scans, orthodontics analysis and oral rehabilitation), allowing dentists to make precise diagnosis for oral treatment plans, which is very helpful in preventing diseases •


Tooth cavities are a

common disorder. They are present in children and in young adults, but can affect any age group. Cavities cause tooth loss.


months is the ideal period of time to return to the dentist for a check-up. This helps to prevent problems that should be shared with specialists.