What Kinds of Dentists Are There?

Dentists are medical professionals that focus on the care of human teeth. Like doctors, some dentists specialize in certain aspects of tooth care. Things like oral surgery, braces and gum disease, while sometimes dealt with by a general dentist, are often handled by dentists with specialized training in their respective fields.

General Dentists

• A general dentist is like the primary care physician of dentistry. He handles general examinations, x-rays and teeth cleanings. General dentists go to four years of undergraduate school, usually obtaining a bachelor's degree in a science related field. They then complete four years of dental school and take a licensing test for their state. General dentists do diagnostics for all dental conditions and can treat certain conditions, including cavities, chipped or broken teeth and minor gum disease. They commonly do procedures such as uncomplicated tooth extraction, root canals, bridges, crowns and certain cosmetic procedures. If your condition requires specialized care, your general dentist can refer you to the proper specialist.

Orthodontists

• Orthodontists deal specifically with the improper placement and positioning of teeth. They complete undergraduate school, dental school and an additional two years of specialized training in orthodontics. The training program must be approved by the American Dental Association in order for a dentist to become a board certified orthodontist. Gaps between teeth, crowded teeth and bite abnormalities are dental issues most commonly dealt with by orthodontists.

Oral Surgeons

• An oral surgeon has specialized training in all surgical aspects of dentistry. She will typically deal with tooth extraction complicated by other issues, such as impaction or infection. Oral surgeons also know how to treat fractured bones in the face, oral and facial tumors, whether cancerous or benign, congenital abnormalities and facial pain. They are well-versed in anesthesiology, so they do not usually require the services of an anesthesiologist during surgery. Oral surgeons must complete a residency program specific to oral and maxillofacial surgery before they can apply for board certification.

Periodontists

• Periodontists specialize in all aspects of periodontal disease, including diagnoses, treatment and prevention in high-risk groups. They typically take on more complex cases, such as severe disease, or disease complicated by secondary medical conditions, including heart disease, diabetes and blood disorders. Periodontists commonly remove infected or damaged tissue, engage in periodontal surgery and place and repair dental implants. They must go through three years of specialized training after graduating from dental school to become periodontists.