There are 2 broad types of dentists: general dentists and dental specialists. A general dentist handles routine care such as exams, cleanings, fillings and most crowns. A dental specialist holds training beyond dental school in 1 of 12 areas recognized by the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards (NCRDSCB), the body the American Dental Association (ADA) set up to recognize specialties.
Knowing the types of dentists saves a patient 3 things: a wasted first visit, a second referral and the cost of a consultation with the wrong office. This guide covers the general dentist, the 12 recognized specialties, the 6 specialists patients see most, cosmetic and implant dentistry, how a referral works and how to check a specialist’s license in California. Use the California dentist directory to compare practices once you know which type you need.
What does a general dentist do?
A general dentist provides the routine dental care most people need, and is the first stop for almost every dental problem. General dentists handle 5 main kinds of work:
- Exams and X-rays. Regular checkups, dental X-rays and screening for tooth decay and gum disease.
- Cleanings. Removal of plaque and tartar, often with a dental hygienist.
- Fillings. Repair of cavities and small breaks in a tooth.
- Crowns and bridges. Caps over damaged teeth and fixed replacements for missing teeth.
- Referrals. Sending a patient to a specialist when the work needs added training.
Dentists in the United States hold either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. A family dentist is a general dentist who treats patients of every age, from children to older adults. Start with a general dentist, if you are not sure which type of dentist you need.
How many dental specialties are there?
There are 12 recognized dental specialties in the United States, according to the NCRDSCB. The Commission recognizes a specialty where the knowledge, skills and training go beyond what a pre-doctoral dental program teaches, and where the area is separate from the other specialties.
| Specialty | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Dental Anesthesiology | Managing pain, anxiety and overall health during dental and oral surgery |
| Dental Public Health | Preventing dental disease through community programs |
| Endodontics | The dental pulp and the tissues around the root |
| Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology | Diagnosing diseases of the mouth, jaws and face |
| Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology | Producing and reading images of the mouth, jaws and face |
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | Surgery on the teeth, jaws, mouth and face |
| Oral Medicine | Oral health care for medically complex patients |
| Orofacial Pain | Pain disorders of the jaw, mouth, face, head and neck |
| Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics | Correcting the bite and the alignment of teeth and jaws |
| Pediatric Dentistry | Dental care for infants and children through adolescence |
| Periodontics | The gums and the tissues that support the teeth |
| Prosthodontics | Restoring and replacing missing or damaged teeth |
Patients book 6 of these specialists directly or by referral most often: orthodontists, endodontists, periodontists, oral surgeons, prosthodontists and pediatric dentists. The other 6 specialties work more often in hospitals, labs, research and public programs, or behind the scenes of another dentist’s care.
What does an orthodontist do?
An orthodontist diagnoses, prevents and corrects malocclusion, the medical term for a bite where the teeth or jaws do not line up. The specialty’s full name is Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. It covers the alignment of teeth and the structure of the face and jaws, in growing children and in adults.
Orthodontists treat 4 common problems: crowded teeth, gaps between teeth, overbites and underbites. The main tools are braces and clear aligners. See an orthodontist for straightening and bite correction, since a general dentist refers most complex alignment cases.
What does an endodontist do?
An endodontist treats the dental pulp, the soft tissue inside a tooth, and the tissues around the root tip. The NCRDSCB definition covers the biology, diseases and injuries of the pulp, and the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of those conditions.
The best-known endodontic treatment is the root canal, which removes infected or damaged pulp and seals the tooth. Endodontists handle 3 other kinds of work: retreatment of an earlier root canal, surgery at the root tip and care of teeth injured in an accident. Many general dentists perform simple root canals and refer harder cases to an endodontist.
What does a periodontist do?
A periodontist prevents, diagnoses and treats diseases of the gums and the tissues that support the teeth. The definition covers the supporting tissues of natural teeth and of their substitutes, such as dental implants, along with the health, function and appearance of those tissues.
Periodontists treat 3 main problems: gum disease, gum recession and loss of the bone that holds the teeth. Many periodontists place dental implants. See a periodontist on referral, when a general dentist finds gum disease that regular cleanings do not control.
What does an oral and maxillofacial surgeon do?
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon diagnoses and surgically treats diseases, injuries and defects of the mouth, teeth, jaws and face. The specialty covers both how these structures work and how they look.
Oral surgeons handle 4 common procedures: tooth extractions, wisdom tooth removal, dental implant placement and jaw surgery. In California, a dentist who is a licensed physician too can hold the Dental Board’s Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Permit. Find an oral surgeon for surgical extractions and implant placement.
What does a prosthodontist do?
A prosthodontist restores and replaces missing or damaged teeth. The NCRDSCB definition covers the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation and maintenance of oral function, comfort, appearance and health for patients with missing or deficient teeth, using biocompatible substitutes.
Prosthodontists work with 4 kinds of replacement: crowns, bridges, dentures and implant-supported teeth. A prosthodontist plans full-mouth restoration, where many teeth need replacing at once. See a prosthodontist for complex replacement work, and a general dentist for a single crown.
What does a pediatric dentist do?
A pediatric dentist provides preventive and treatment care for infants and children through adolescence, including children with special health care needs. Pediatric Dentistry is an age-defined specialty, set by the age of the patient rather than a part of the mouth.
Pediatric dentists handle checkups, cleanings, fluoride treatment, fillings and early guidance on how the teeth grow in. Offices are set up for children, with staff used to young and anxious patients. Book a pediatric dentist for a young child, or a family dentist who treats children.
What do the other 6 dental specialties do?
The other 6 recognized specialties support patient care in 6 different ways:
- Dental anesthesiology manages pain, anxiety and the patient’s overall health during dental and oral surgery. In California, sedation and general anesthesia require Dental Board permits, such as the General Anesthesia Permit and the Moderate Sedation Permit.
- Oral medicine provides oral health care for medically complex patients and manages diseases of the mouth linked to medical conditions.
- Orofacial pain diagnoses and treats pain disorders of the jaw, mouth, face, head and neck, including jaw joint pain.
- Oral and maxillofacial pathology identifies diseases of the mouth and face through clinical, radiographic and microscopic examination.
- Oral and maxillofacial radiology produces and interprets images of the mouth, jaws and face.
- Dental public health prevents and controls dental disease through community programs, education and research.
Is a cosmetic dentist a dental specialist?
No. Cosmetic dentistry is not 1 of the 12 recognized dental specialties. A cosmetic dentist is most often a general dentist who offers work on the appearance of teeth. Cosmetic work covers 4 common treatments: teeth whitening, veneers, bonding and tooth-colored fillings.
An implant dentist is not a separate recognized specialty either. Dental implants are placed by oral surgeons, periodontists, prosthodontists and general dentists with added training. Compare cosmetic dentists and dental implant providers by their stated services, ratings and reviews, then ask each office who places and restores the implant.
Which type of dentist do you need?
The type of dentist you need depends on the problem. The table matches 10 common needs to the dentist who usually handles them:
| Your need | Type of dentist |
|---|---|
| Checkup, cleaning or X-rays | General or family dentist |
| A cavity or a small chip | General dentist |
| A child’s first dental visit | Pediatric dentist or family dentist |
| Crooked teeth or a bad bite | Orthodontist |
| A root canal or a retreatment | Endodontist or general dentist |
| Bleeding or receding gums | Periodontist, on referral |
| Wisdom teeth removal | Oral surgeon |
| Many missing teeth or full dentures | Prosthodontist |
| Whitening or veneers | Cosmetic dentist |
| A cracked tooth or sudden pain | Emergency dentist |
Call the office before you book, and ask 3 questions: whether the dentist does this kind of work, whether the office takes new patients, and whether your insurance plan needs a referral first.
How does a referral to a dental specialist work?
A referral to a dental specialist starts with your general dentist, who examines the problem and sends you to the specialist with your records and X-rays. Some specialists see patients without a referral, and others accept referrals only. Ask your insurance plan whether a referral is required for coverage, since plan rules differ.
Bring 3 things to a first specialist visit: your referral note, your recent X-rays and a list of your medications.
How do you check a specialist’s license in California?
Check a specialist’s license on the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) License Search. The Dental Board of California licenses every dentist in the state, specialists included, under the Dentist (DDS) license category. The record shows the license status, the license number and dates, any disciplinary action and the permits the dentist holds, such as sedation permits. Read how to check a dentist’s license in California for the full steps.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a DDS and a DMD? A Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) and a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) are 2 names for the dental degree. Dental schools choose which name to award.
Do I need a referral to see a dental specialist? No, not always. Some specialists accept patients directly, and others work by referral. Your insurance plan can require a referral for coverage.
Can a general dentist do a root canal? Yes. Many general dentists perform root canals, and they refer complex cases to an endodontist.
Is an orthodontist a dentist? Yes. An orthodontist is a dentist with added training in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 1 of the 12 recognized specialties.
Summary
There are 2 broad types of dentists, general dentists and specialists, and 12 recognized dental specialties. General dentists handle exams, cleanings, fillings and crowns, and refer the rest. Patients see 6 specialists most often: orthodontists, endodontists, periodontists, oral surgeons, prosthodontists and pediatric dentists. Cosmetic and implant dentistry are areas of practice, not recognized specialties. Match the problem to the type of dentist, confirm the license on the DCA License Search, and compare practices by type of dentist or by city.