How Many Types of Dentists Are There? Understanding General Dentists & 12 Recognized Specialties

Professionally Reviewed by Dr. Joe Dental, DDS

Table of Contents

3.1 Endodontics (Root Canal Specialists)

3.2 Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (Disease Diagnosticians)

3.3 Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging Experts)

3.4 Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Jaw & Facial Surgeons)

3.5 Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (Braces & Alignment Specialists)

3.6 Pediatric Dentistry (Children’s Dentists)

3.7 Periodontics (Gum & Bone Specialists)

3.8 Prosthodontics (Restorative & Replacement Specialists)

3.9 Dental Anesthesiology (Pain & Anxiety Management Specialists)

3.10 Dental Public Health (Community Oral Health)

3.11 Orofacial Pain (Chronic Pain Specialists)

3.12 Oral Medicine (Oral Systemic Disease Management)

Introduction

When I first started learning about dentistry, I didn’t know there were so many different types of dentists. Like most people, I thought there was just my usual dentist who cleaned my teeth, and maybe doctors who put on braces or pulled wisdom teeth. But I found out there are actually a lot of dental experts, each one focused on a certain part of mouth health.

So, how many kinds of dentists are there? Right now, the American Dental Association (ADA) officially counts 12 special kinds of dentists besides general dentists. Each one has their own extra training and takes care of something special. You can think of them as players on a sports team, each doing a different job for your mouth, teeth, jaw, and more.

Let me show you all these types, from your regular dentist to the really focused experts, sharing what I found, what caught me off guard, and when you might need to see one.

The General Dentist: Your Main Mouth Doctor

Let’s start with the basics. Whenever I’ve had a tooth hurting, a cracked tooth, or just needed my yearly cleaning, my general dentist was the one I saw. Think of a general dentist like the team captain of your mouth—they check everything, call the shots, and know when somebody else should jump in.

What Do General Dentists Do?

General dentists are trained to do a lot of common jobs, including:

• Dental checkups and taking X-rays
• Cleanings and fluoride care
• Filling cavities
• Simple root canals
• Pulling teeth
• Crowns and bridges
• Tips on brushing and keeping your mouth healthy

In my experience, a good general dentist doesn’t just clean your teeth—they catch problems early and help you keep your mouth working well before big troubles start.

When Should You See a General Dentist?

Go to a general dentist for most things: yearly or half-year checkups, new tooth pain, small chips, sore gums, or even questions about how your teeth look. General dentists also know when to send you to a specialist if things get tricky. My dentist has caught little problems a few times during cleanings—stuff that could have turned into a bigger deal if I waited.

The 12 ADA-Recognized Dental Specialties Explained

Now, let’s get into the details. I remember being surprised at how focused some dental experts are. Here’s what I found out about each of these specialties—plus signs you might need to see one.

1. Endodontics (Root Canal Specialists)

If you ever had a really bad toothache that wouldn’t stop, an endodontist is the expert you want. These dentists mostly save teeth that might otherwise have to be pulled.

What They Do:

Endodontists are all about the inside of the tooth—the pulp—which can get sick from deep cavities, cracks, or injuries. Root canals are their main job, and they’ve saved a few of my teeth.

When to See Them:

If you have really bad, long-lasting pain, swelling near a tooth, or pain that keeps you awake, you might need to see one. Usually, your dentist will send you if things are complicated.

Anecdote:

A friend called me scared after a biking crash broke a tooth. The endodontist saved the tooth and explained everything, which made it way less scary.

2. Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (Disease Finders)

Oral pathology is something I heard about when my dentist saw a weird spot on my gum. An oral pathologist is like a detective for mouth problems.

What They Do:

They figure out and treat mouth, jaw, and face diseases by looking at tissue samples and using microscopes. They sometimes help catch mouth cancer early, which can save lives.

When to See Them:

If you notice a sore that won’t heal, strange lumps, or anything odd in your mouth, get it checked. These experts find out what’s going on and help plan your care.

3. Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology (Picture Experts)

The first time I needed a 3D scan before getting an implant, I saw what oral radiology was all about. It’s like using special pictures to learn what’s happening inside your mouth.

What They Do:

Oral radiologists use and read dental X-rays, 3D scans, and other pictures. They help when you need a treatment plan for surgery, to check for cancer, or to see why you have pain.

When to See Them:

You probably won’t see them directly, but when your dentist orders fancy images, these experts are the ones behind the scenes.

4. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Mouth & Face Surgeons)

If you’ve had your wisdom teeth taken out, you’ve most likely met an oral surgeon. My oral surgeon explained everything before pulling my tricky tooth, which helped a lot.

What They Do:

Oral surgeons do surgeries in your mouth, face, and jaw. They remove hard teeth, put in implants, fix broken jaws, and remove face tumors.

When to See Them:

Big tooth removals, face injuries, cleft palate fix-ups, or surgery for mouth cancer are things for oral surgeons.

Practical Detail:

These doctors finish dental school plus years of hospital training. All that time means they know what they’re doing when things get tough.

5. Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (Braces & Alignment Doctors)

Braces were something I went through as a kid. My orthodontist didn’t just make my teeth straight—he checked my bite and my jaw too.

What They Do:

Orthodontists and dentofacial orthopedists fix crooked teeth and jaws. They use braces, clear trays, retainers, and other gadgets to help shape your bite and even the way your face and jaw grow.

When to See Them:

If your teeth overlap, there are big spaces, overbites, underbites, or your jaw doesn’t line up, it’s time to talk to an orthodontist. Fixing these problems is about more than just looks—it helps you chew better and keeps your mouth healthy.

Example:

I’ve seen that clear aligners now let adults fix their teeth without metal braces, so it’s not just for teens anymore.

6. Pediatric Dentistry (Dentists for Kids)

As a parent, I’m grateful for how gentle and creative pediatric dentists are. They helped my kid actually look forward to visits.

What They Do:

Pediatric dentists help babies, children, and teenagers keep their teeth healthy—even those who are nervous or have special needs. They work a lot on stopping problems before they start and making the dentist a good place for kids.

When to See Them:

First dental visit, regular checkups, or for things like early cavities, chipped teeth, or growing problems.

Fun Fact:

My kid’s dentist once told a silly tooth fairy story that made brushing way more fun!

7. Periodontics (Gum & Bone Experts)

If your gums bleed or your dentist talks about “pockets,” a periodontist is the doctor you might need.

What They Do:

These experts stop, check, and treat gum disease. They also handle dental implants and help keep the bone around your teeth strong.

When to See Them:

If you often have bleeding gums, they’re pulling away from the teeth, or you can’t fix bad breath, seeing a periodontist is a good idea.

8. Prosthodontics (Tooth Replacement Experts)

When someone in my family lost several teeth in a crash, a prosthodontist fixed their smile using bridges, crowns, and new teeth that looked real.

What They Do:

Prosthodontists make and fit new teeth and fix broken ones. They use crowns, bridges, full or partial dentures, and sometimes fancy implants.

When to See Them:

Big tooth loss, badly worn teeth, or tough fixes for how your smile looks or works are jobs for them.

Resource:

To see how custom dental parts are made, check out a crown and bridge lab to learn what happens behind the scenes.

9. Dental Anesthesiology (Pain & Nerves Doctors)

Going to the dentist can be scary—especially for people who fear shots or have lots of dental work to do. I’ve seen how a dental anesthesiologist can make a huge difference.

What They Do:

Dental anesthesiologists help with numbing and putting people to sleep for dental work, keeping you comfy and safe during surgeries or if you’re very nervous.

When to See Them:

Big surgeries, really bad dental fear, or when someone can’t keep still for treatment.

10. Dental Public Health (Community Dentists)

You may not hear about this kind of dentist often, but they do big things for whole towns or cities. They help set up the rules and programs that keep everyone’s mouths healthy.

What They Do:

Dental public health experts make programs, teach, and help bring dental help to lots of people. They work on ways to stop tooth decay before it starts.

When to See Them:

You won’t usually see them one-on-one, but thanks to them, your water might have fluoride, and there are school checks for kids’ teeth.

11. Orofacial Pain (Face & Jaw Pain Experts)

Long-lasting face or jaw pain, headaches, or popping in the jaw joint can be really tough. I’ve known people who only got help after seeing an orofacial pain doctor.

What They Do:

These experts figure out and treat pain in your face, head, jaw, or neck—including jaw joint problems (TMJ/TMD) and certain nerve troubles.

When to See Them:

If you have jaw or face pain that won’t go away and your regular dentist can’t fix it.

12. Oral Medicine (Mouth and Body Connection)

Oral medicine dentists take care of mouth problems that come along with other body issues. I know several people with health problems who were helped by them.

What They Do:

They help with mouth sores, side effects from medicines, signs in the mouth from other diseases, and look after people who have tough medical problems.

When to See Them:

Unexplained mouth sores, things tied to a long-term illness, or new mouth troubles during cancer care.

Key Differences: General Dentist vs. Specialist

When I was younger, I thought a “dentist” could do everything. But once things got harder with my teeth, I learned how much some experts really focus on details.

Training

• General Dentists:

Go to dental school for about four years after college.

• Specialists:

Go to dental school and then spend another 2–6 years learning in just one area (that’s called residency). Many also have to pass special tests.

What They Do

• General Dentists:

Are good at a little bit of everything. They focus on stopping problems, spotting them early, and handling the usual treatments.

• Specialists:

Focus on one thing, do the hard or rare cases, and handle tough situations.

How You See a Specialist

General dentists are the ones who know when you need more help. For example, they might send you to a removable denture lab for new teeth or an endodontist for a tricky root canal.

Other Important Dental Workers

You’ll probably meet other helpers at the dental office. Here are a few:

• Dental Hygienists – They clean your teeth, show you how to brush better, and give tips. My hygienist always hands me extra floss on the way out.
• Dental Assistants – They help dentists get ready and keep everything running in the treatment room.
• Dental Lab Technicians – These team members make crowns, bridges, dentures, and more. The skill of the lab—like a digital dental lab—matters a lot for getting things that feel right and work well.

How to Pick the Right Dentist for You

People ask me this all the time. Here’s what helps me:

Go to them for checkups, cleanings, and anything basic.

If your problem is hard—like pain that won’t stop or needs special work—ask if you should see a specialist.

If you need something fancy (like implants), make sure they’re skilled and have done it before. For extra care, check if the dental lab is good—like an implant dental laboratory—so you know what you’re getting.

Pick dentists who explain things in a way you get. It helps to understand what’s going on.

The best offices have everyone working together—your dentist, experts, and labs. It feels easier and better when the team works like a band.

Conclusion

When I look back, I’m still surprised by how many kinds of dental experts there are. There isn’t just “the dentist”—there’s a whole team, from your regular dentist to the super-trained specialists, all working to keep your mouth and your smile in good shape.

Right now, the ADA says there are 12 special dental groups, each important for fixing different mouth troubles. Your main dentist is who you’ll meet most, but having experts—like gum doctors, mouth surgeons, or kids’ dentists—means you get the care you need.

And if you ever don’t know where to go, just start with your regular dentist—they’ll help you find your way, just like mine did for me.

Reviewed By: Dr. Joe Dental, DDS – Board Certified and practicing since 2001

Reminder: This article is for info only—it’s not no replacement for real advice from your own dentist or doctor.

Want to learn more about dental appliances or how lab-made teeth are built? You can read about high-quality work at a crown and bridge lab or find out about new tech with a digital dental lab. Your smile deserves extra care!