General dentists handle the majority of dental care, but there are nine officially recognised dental specialties in the United States, each with focused postgraduate training of two to six years beyond dental school. Here is what each specialty does.
Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
Orthodontists specialise in aligning teeth and jaws. They treat crowded teeth, overbites, underbites, crossbites, and other bite problems using braces, clear aligners, retainers, and other appliances. Most patients see an orthodontist in their teens, though adult orthodontic treatment is increasingly common.
Pediatric Dentistry
Pediatric dentists (pedodontists) specialise in dental care for infants, children, and adolescents, including those with special healthcare needs. They complete an additional two years of training focused on child development, behavior management, and treating developing teeth.
Periodontics
Periodontists specialise in the gums, bone, and structures that support teeth. They treat gum disease (gingivitis and periodontitis), perform gum grafts for recession, and place dental implants. If your general dentist refers you for "gum treatment," a periodontist is likely the destination.
Endodontics
Endodontists specialise in the inside of the tooth — specifically the pulp (the soft tissue containing nerves and blood vessels). Root canals are their primary treatment. They also perform apicoectomies (surgical root tip removal) and treat cracked teeth. Complex or failed root canals are typically referred to an endodontist.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Oral surgeons handle the surgical side of dentistry — wisdom tooth removal, dental implant surgery, jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery), treating facial injuries, removing jaw cysts and tumours, and facial reconstruction. They complete four to six years of hospital-based surgical residency training.
Prosthodontics
Prosthodontists specialise in restoring and replacing teeth — from individual crowns and bridges to complete dentures and full-mouth implant reconstructions. They are the specialists of choice for complex tooth replacement cases involving multiple missing teeth or significant structural damage.
Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
Oral radiologists specialise in obtaining and interpreting dental and facial imaging — X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. Most patients never see one directly; they work behind the scenes reading complex imaging for other providers.
Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
Oral pathologists specialise in diagnosing diseases of the mouth and jaw through tissue examination (biopsy). When a dentist removes tissue for analysis, an oral pathologist examines it. Like radiologists, they typically work in labs and hospitals rather than clinical practices.
Dental Public Health
Dental public health specialists focus on community-level oral health — designing public health programs, conducting research, and influencing policy. They work for government agencies, universities, and public health organisations rather than in private practice.