General Dentists
General dentists are like your medical GP. They are usually the people you go to first, whenever there is a problem. You should also go to your general dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning. They are also great at doing fillings, cleans, root canal treatments, crowns, dentures, extractions, you name it; they can do it. However, in some situations, such as complex cases, they may refer you to one of the dental specialties.

Pediatric Dentists
These people are specialists when it comes to kids. These guys are the most fun, generally have very colorful offices, fully catering to all things kids. They offer all treatments and are specially trained at dealing with nervous children. They can also arrange for treatment to completed under gas or while your child is asleep. Pediatric dentists will explain what is going to happen in simple terms and work to create a relaxed environment which isn’t ‘scary’.

Periodontists
Gum specialists. Perio means ‘around.’ So anything to do with the gums and tissues around your teeth, Periodontists are the experts. They make sure that the gums are nice and healthy so that the teeth are in a solid foundation. They can also place implants into the bone to replace missing teeth.

Prosthodontists
Anytime you require replacement of a tooth or need to reshape or build up a tooth, a prosthodontist will be there to help out. They can offer fillings, crowns, bridges, veneers, implants, partial dentures and full dentures.

Orthodontists
Orthodontists are specialists trained in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. They provide a wide range of treatment options to straighten crooked teeth, fix bad bites and align the jaws correctly.

While orthodontists are primarily known for straightening teeth, they can also assist with painful and misaligned bites, tooth movement caused by bad habits such as thumb sucking, and even some forms of sleep apnoea.

Oral Maxilliofacial Surgeons
These guys are specialists at all things surgical. This includes anything from removing difficult teeth such as wisdom teeth to cases of head and neck trauma or cancers. They can also do jaw surgery to assist with misaligned jaws, place implants, expose impacted teeth and remove cysts and tumors.

Sometimes a team approach is required to create your best smile. At Orthodontic Specialists of Melbourne, we work closely with your general dentist, and a trusted group of dental specialists to get the result you want. At your first appointment, we will carefully assess all aspects of your dental and orthodontic health and let you know if there are any particular areas that require additional attention. Following your consultation, we will co-ordinate with your general dentist and any other specialist required for your best possible outcome.