What are the different types of dentists?

Going to the dentist regularly is an important part of your oral health journey. But did you know there are dentists you can see beyond your general dentist who have received advanced training and specialize in specific areas of dentistry? In fact, the American Dental Association (ADA) now recognizes twelve different dental specialties. The type of dentist you see should depend on what kind of dental needs you have.

So how do you know which dentist is right for you? Let’s break it down.

General dentists and specialists - what services do they provide?

Most people start with a general dentist, your primary oral health provider. General dentists complete at least three years of undergraduate study and four years of dental school, earning either a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine). These degrees are equivalent; the difference is simply the naming preference of the dental school.

General dentists can perform a wide range of routine and often complex procedures. They diagnose problems, develop treatment plans, and help manage your oral health long-term. In many cases, they can handle most procedures you need.

However, if a situation requires more specialized expertise, such as complex root canals, wisdom tooth removal, gum surgery, or certain procedures for children, your general dentist may recommend seeing a specialist.

To become a specialist, a dentist completes an additional 2–6 years of advanced, post-graduate training. As of 2025, about one in five dentists in the U.S. focus on an ADA-recognized specialty. The ADA reports that orthodontics is the most widely practiced dental specialty, accounting for about 5% of all U.S. dentists.

Dental specialties: Who they are and what they do

Here’s an easy-to-understand overview of the 12 dental specialties recognized by the ADA and the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards.

Pediatric Dentist

Similar to how a child sees a pediatrician, a pediatric dentist (also known as a pedodontist) provides services for child and adolescent oral health. This type of dentist specializes in the oral development of children from infancy through adolescence, including children with special oral health care needs. They also focus on creating positive dental experiences for kids.

Why you might see this dentist:
Your child needs age-specific care, help with early cavities, guidance on thumb sucking or baby teeth development, or a dentist who specializes in working with young or anxious children.

Orthodontist

Orthodontists specialize in the alignment of the teeth and jaw. These dental professionals use wires, braces, retainers, etc. to correct your bite.  A good bite makes it easier for you to bite, chew, and speak, and properly aligned teeth can be more esthetic. Today, a significant proportion of an orthodontist’s patients are adults. You are never too old to put your teeth in good alignment.

Why you might see this dentist:
You or your child have crooked teeth, bite problems (like overbite or underbite), crowding, spacing issues, or you want to improve smile alignment at any age.

Periodontist

A periodontist specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum disease. Periodontists treat cases ranging from mild gingivitis to more severe gum disease (periodontitis). Additionally, periodontists are trained in the placement, maintenance, and repair of dental implants.

Why you might see this dentist:
You have bleeding or receding gums, loose teeth, moderate to severe gum disease, or need gum surgery, bone grafting, or implant placement.

Endodontist

This dental specialist treats problems pertaining to the soft pulp (nerve tissue, blood vessels) inside of a tooth. They perform both routine and complex endodontic procedures, including root canal treatment, endodontic surgery, and special procedures to save teeth after traumatic dental injuries.  Endodontists can help you manage tooth pain and save teeth where decay has reached the pulp and has become infected.

Why you might see this dentist: You have severe tooth pain, deep decay, an abscess, sensitivity that won’t go away, or you’ve been told you need a root canal or retreatment.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

These surgeons perform procedures involving the mouth, teeth, face, and jaws, including tooth extractions, jaw surgery, and implant placement. Some of the problems they treat include routine and complex tooth extraction, surgical correction of misaligned jaws, biopsy and removal of tumors, cysts, and lesions of the jaw and mouth, jaw trauma, head and neck cancer, and dental implant surgery.

Why you might see this dentist: You need wisdom teeth removed, have jaw pain or misalignment, experienced facial trauma, need biopsy or removal of a lesion, or your dentist recommends implant surgery.

Prosthodontist

This dental specialist handles routine and complex dental and facial problems that involve restoring missing teeth and jaw structures. A prosthodontist is highly trained in cosmetics, dental implants, crowns, bridges, veneers, dentures, temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ/TMD), and more. Some focus on the treatment of patients who have defects of the head and neck region due to cancer, surgery, trauma, and birth defects.

Why you might see this dentist: You’re missing teeth, need dentures or implant-supported restorations, want cosmetic improvements, or need specialized reconstruction due to injury, cancer treatment, or congenital conditions.

Oral Pathologist

An oral pathologist typically does not provide direct care. Oral pathologists diagnose diseases of the mouth and jaw through biopsies, lab tests, and microscopic evaluation. They act as consultants to general dentists and specialists to diagnose cases. One common example of an oral pathology procedure is the pathology examination and report that is received after an oral biopsy.

Why you might see this dentist:
Your dentist found an unusual sore, lump, lesion, or tissue change and sent a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.

Oral Maxillofacial Radiologist

This kind of dental specialist helps diagnose and manage oral diseases by using x-rays, CT scans, MRI, and other forms of imaging. They study and interpret images taken for conditions affecting the head, neck, face and jaws.

Why you might see this dentist:
You need detailed imaging for a condition involving your jaw, face, or head—such as tumors, cysts, TMJ issues, or implant planning.

Dental Anesthesiologist

These specialists work with other dentists and oral health specialists to manage pain, anxiety, and overall patient health during other surgical or diagnostic procedures pertaining to the mouth or face. Similar to a medical anesthesiologist, dental anesthesiologists manage sedation, general anesthesia, and patient monitoring during dental procedures. This time period extends, before, during, and immediately after an oral surgical or dental procedure. The specialty is dedicated to promoting patient safety and comfort.

Why you might see this dentist:
You require deep sedation or general anesthesia for surgery, have dental anxiety that makes traditional care difficult, or have medical conditions that require careful monitoring during treatment.

Oral Medicine Specialist

Oral medicine specialists treat patients with medical conditions that affect oral health, providing long-term management for complex issues. They have particular expertise in the diagnosis and management of such oral problems as mouth sores and other soft tissue changes, taste change, dry mouth, oral burning sensation, and jaw or facial pain.

Why you might see this dentist: You have chronic dry mouth, burning mouth, persistent mouth sores, taste changes, or facial pain related to medical conditions or medications.

Orofacial Pain Specialist

These specialists diagnose and treat chronic pain involving the jaw, face, head, and neck, including TMJ disorders and sleep-related issues. This specialty also includes screening, management, and coordination of care associated with sleep-related breathing disorders.

Why you might see this dentist: You struggle with ongoing jaw pain, clicking or locking, migraines related to jaw function, nerve pain, teeth grinding, or sleep-related breathing problems.

Dental Public Health Specialist

Dental public health professionals focus on improving oral health at a community level through research, education, and preventive programs. Public health specialists are involved with applied dental research, dental health education, administration of group dental care programs, and the prevention and control of dental diseases on a community basis.

Why you might see this dentist: Most people won’t see this specialist individually. You might interact with them through community programs, school-based prevention efforts, or statewide oral health initiatives.

How do I know what kind of dentist to see?

Your general dentist plays a key role in your overall oral health care and, in many cases, performs most of the same procedures as a specialist. Sometimes, however, your oral problem may require extra expertise. Your dentist may exclude certain types of procedures like wisdom tooth extractions, root canals, implants, periodontal surgery, or other type procedures from their practice. Or, they may not feel comfortable with some situations like treating young children or the medically compromised.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the complexity and seriousness of your oral health problems and your dentist’s comfort and level of experience in handling your issue. Your general dentist will refer you to a specialist when they feel that for some procedure you may be better served by seeing someone with advanced specialized training.

Your general dentist is the best place to start. Think of them as the quarterback of your oral health team, they know your history, understand your needs, and can recommend the right specialist when necessary.

What about referrals and insurance?

Most Delta Dental of Tennessee plans do not require a referral to see a specialist, but it’s always smart to talk with your general dentist first. They can help you understand the best path forward and ensure you choose an in-network provider so you get the most value from your benefits.

You can easily search for in-network specialists using the Find a Dentist tool.

Don’t hesitate to ask your dentist questions about your condition and any recommended referrals. A good dentist will gladly explain why a specialist is the best option.