The highest-paid dental specialty is oral and maxillofacial surgery. These professionals are highly trained in both dental care and medical surgery. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons diagnose and treat patients with complex dental, jaw, and facial problems. As an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, you are a highly specialized dental professional who performs oral and facial surgeries for a variety of common issues, such as correcting cleft paddles, reconstructing misaligned jaws, and installing dental implants.
You also treat more serious issues, such as obstructive sleep apnea and oral cancer. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons may choose to work in a hospital or office. Patients are generally referred to oral and maxillofacial surgeons by their dentist or primary care physician. Endodontists are dentists who specialize in diagnosing and treating tooth pain caused by a problem inside the tooth pulp.
They perform root canal treatments and other procedures to save and restore teeth, rather than removing and replacing the tooth. The American Association of Endodontists notes that endodontists perform a greater number of root canal procedures than general dentists. An endodontic assistant works with a specialized dentist called an endodontist. An endodontist treats problems with the tissues and pulp inside the teeth.
The main dental procedure they perform is a root canal. In this work, your duties are to assist the endodontist in his practice and procedures. Your responsibilities may include scheduling patient appointments, performing x-rays, and assisting before, during, and after root canal treatment. During these procedures, you can clean the patient's mouth, pass tools to the dentist, or monitor the patient's well-being and comfort. 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.
