There are 9 board-certified dental specialists. However, only 6 dental specialties provide individual patient dental care.
Depending on needs, you’ll either visit a periodontist, prosthodontist, endodontist, oral surgeon, orthodontist, or pediatric dentist.
Family dentists and general dentists offer many of the same services as dental specialists but do not focus on just one area of dentistry.
Instead, they offer services in all fields of dentistry, including restorative, cosmetic, and pediatric dental treatments.
Periodontists specialize in the treatment of diseases related to the gums.
Periodontal disease is the most severe form of gum disease. Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease. If you leave gingivitis untreated, it can turn into periodontal disease over time. At this stage, the disease is irreversible and requires prompt treatment.
Periodontists offer the following services:
Prosthodontists specialize in restorative dentistry. More specifically, they specialize in tooth replacement procedures and the placement of dental restorations, such as implants, crowns, dentures, veneers, and bridges.
Prosthodontists offer the following services:
Oral and maxillofacial surgery focuses on minor and invasive procedures involving the mouth, face, and jaw. “Maxillofacial” refers to the face and jaw, while “oral” refers to the mouth.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons offer the following services:
As caries (cavities) grow, they get closer to the pulp, which may lead to an infection or a serious pulpal disease. Even small cavities and trauma-related dental issues can release toxins to the dental pulp.
Endodontists offer the following services:
Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that focuses on treating misaligned teeth, crooked teeth, and jaw misalignment (malocclusion) issues.
Orthodontists specialize in fixing bite issues, such as an overbite, underbite, or open bite, among others.
Orthodontists fix malocclusion-related problems using different devices and treatments. Common indicators for treatment include:
Pediatric dentists are similar to general dentists because they offer a wide range of dental services and treatment options.
However, pediatric dentists specialize in treating babies, children, and adolescents, rather than adults. They also offer specialized treatment for sick or disabled children.
Common oral conditions that affect children include:
Pediatric dentists offer the following services: