Are you interested in becoming a dentist some day? Well, which one exactly? The dental field is wide and contains various career options at different levels. Therefore, it is necessary for you to be aware of the variety of dentists to make the best possible choice for your oral health career. If you want to make a living by fixing teeth, below are a few options you could probably consider.

Cosmetic Dentists

If you are all about smiles and tooth appearance, this dentist would definitely be the right choice for you. Cosmetic dentistry ranges from replacing lost teeth to basic tooth whitening procedures. Its primary aim is to improve the overall appearance of a patient by enhancing his or her smile. To be a cosmetic dentist, you would require a minimum of two years in college before entering a dental school program that could take you about four years. Combine this education with some experience and you will be earning a pretty decent salary.

Periodontist

The name is derived from periodontal disease. This dentist deals mostly with the diseased part of oral health care. A periodontist is responsible for preventing, examining, and treating dental diseases. They take a look at the gums and also check if teeth properly fit into their periodontal sockets. Moreover, they can take care of root surface debridement and planning. In addition, they also perform x-rays and complex surgical procedures for complicated cases. To become a periodontist, you are going to have to study another three years after dental school, since the profession requires a little bit of extra skill and understanding of the field.

Orthodontist

These dentists are responsible for giving smiles a uniform and regular look mainly by aligning and positioning of the teeth. They mostly treat younger patients with growing teeth that need straightening. However, they can also attend to older ones as well. An orthodontist uses various appliances like braces and retainers to the correct arrangement of teeth. To be an orthodontist, you must have a bachelor's dental degree from an institution accredited by the Australian Dental Council and a minimum of two years' experience in a dental clinic.

The Oral Surgeon

This dentist specializes in surgery of the oral and maxillofacial area of your head. They are usually used as a referral by a general dentist when dental implants are required. Apart from that, they are also responsible for amputating severely infected gums and removing impacted wisdom teeth that can destroy sections of the gum. It takes about four years of training to practice oral surgery in Australia.