The highest paid dental specialty is oral and maxillofacial surgery. These professionals are highly trained in both dental care and medical surgery, and are responsible for diagnosing and treating patients with complex dental, mandibular and facial problems. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons may choose to work in a hospital or office, and patients are usually referred to them by their dentist or general practitioner. Endodontists are dentists who specialize in diagnosing and treating tooth pain caused by a problem within the tooth's pulp.
They perform root canals and other procedures to save and restore teeth, rather than removing and replacing the tooth. An endodontic assistant works with an endodontist, who treats problems with the tissues and pulp inside the teeth. The main dental procedure they perform is endodontics, and their functions are to assist the endodontist in their practice and procedures. When it comes to choosing a dental specialty, it's important to consider your interests and skills.
Never choose a job or specialty that doesn't interest you, as your income depends on the quality of your work. If you're good with kids, pediatric dentistry could be your path to becoming rich. Pediatric dentists are as valuable as gold because not everyone has what it takes to treat children. To specialize in pediatric dentistry, you'll need to complete a residency program (24 months or more) after earning a dental degree and passing a board exam.
In addition, you'll have more responsibilities than a general dentist, including performing surgical procedures and implementing orthodontic treatment. Prosthodontics, or dental prosthesis, involves a great deal of responsibility and is well paid. This specialty focuses on missing teeth and restorations, as well as correcting deformities in the mouth and jaw, treating people who have bite problems, and people who don't like the way their teeth look. Specializing in orthodontics requires additional training of 2 to 3 years.
Everyone dreams of having straight teeth, so it can be safely said that as a prosthodontist, you will always have money. It doesn't matter if you have a private office or work for a company, you'll always have job security and options. Prosthodontics is the highest-paid dental specialty on our list. These health professionals specialize in reconstructive dental work, such as bridges or dentures.
Prosthodontists can also help with problems such as dental implants and crowns. Oral and maxillofacial surgery is also highly paid; this specialty deals with oral cancers, cleft palate, impacted teeth, and other facial trauma. The specialty program in oral and maxillofacial surgery lasts an additional 4 to 6 years, in addition to a bachelor's degree in dentistry. Dentists also promote preventive measures to prevent tooth decay and other conditions caused by bad habits.
Dental hygienists work in dentists' offices or hospitals/health facilities; they handle basic administrative tasks for the office/equipment so that the dentist can focus on exams/procedures. Pediatric dentists specialize in treating infants, children, teens, and patients with special needs; they focus on teaching their patients/patients' families about proper oral health/importance of preventing tooth decay through daily tooth care.