List of Types of Dentists and Their Specialties

Dentists are medical practitioners that diagnose, treat and help prevent diseases and conditions that affect the tissues of the mouth. These may be health-related or cosmetic in nature. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS, approximately 15 percent of dentists in the country are specialists that limit their practices to particular ailments and procedures. The American Dental Association, or ADA, recognizes nine specialties.

General Dentists

• The majority of the more than 160,000 dentists in the United States are general dentists that perform an array of procedures, including routine cleanings and tooth extractions. They also treat tooth decay with fillings or root canals. Moreover, general dentists dispense instruction on oral hygiene. A minimum of four years of dental school is required to become a dentist.

Orthodontists

• Orthodontists correct misaligned teeth by applying pressure with specialized devices, such as braces or aligners. To become an orthodontist, dental school graduates must complete an additional two to three-year residency. The majority of dental specialists in the United States are orthodontists, according to the United States' Bureau of Labor Statistics or BLS.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

• Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are dentists that perform surgeries to correct defects of the oral cavity and jaws. These include removal of cancerous tumors, cleft lip repair and treatment of temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders. Following dental school, graduates who wish to perform oral and maxillofacial surgery must undergo at least four years of residency training in a hospital. After orthodontists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons make up the second largest group of dental specialists, according to the BLS.

Periodontists

• Dentists that care for the tissues that support teeth, such as gums and bones, are known as periodontists. They treat gum diseases and provide preemptive care for patients with conditions, such as diabetes, that make them prone to periodontal disease. Periodontists also perform an array of cosmetic procedures, such as surgeries to correct gum recession. Three years of postgraduate training are required to become a periodontist.

Endodontists

• Endodontists specialize in root canal treatment, a procedure designed to save severely decayed teeth by removing the nerve and pulp. The tooth is then sealed and often covered with a permanent fixture, known as a crown. Though general dentists also perform root canals, many refer difficult and unusual cases to endodontists. An endodontist may charge up to 50 percent more for a root canal than a general dentist, according to WebMD.

Prosthodontist

• Prosthodontists are dentists that limit their practice to restoring and replacing missing teeth. They do so by attaching permanent fixtures, such as crowns and bridges, or by taking measurements and imprints for removable dentures. Prosthodontists may also perform dental implant surgery.

Other Specialists

• Dentists that devote their practice to treating children are known as pedodontists or pediatric dentists. Oral pathologists are dentists that diagnose oral diseases, while maxillofacial radiologists diagnose diseases of the head and neck by interpreting x-rays and other imaging tests. The ADA also recognizes a dental public health specialty. Professionals who pursue this path create awareness about dental problems and promote dental hygiene and care at the community level.