When you’re experiencing dental problems or need routine care, navigating the types of dentists can feel overwhelming. Understanding what each specialist does and when you might need their expertise is crucial for maintaining optimal oral health and getting the right treatment at the right time.

The dental profession includes both generalist dentists, who provide comprehensive primary care, and specialized dentists, who focus on specific areas of oral health. While there are over a dozen recognized dental specialties, most patients primarily interact with six to eight common types of dental professionals throughout their lives.

Key Takeaways

• General dentists serve as your primary dental care provider, handling checkups, cleanings, fillings, basic extractions, and most routine procedures.
• Dental specialists step in for complex cases requiring specialized training in areas like surgery, root canals, or gum disease.
• The most common types of dentists patients encounter include general dentists, Pediatric dentists, orthodontists, periodontists, endodontists, oral surgeons, and prosthodontists.
• Each dentist specialist completes 2-6 additional years of focused training after dental school.
• If you’re unsure what type of dentist do I need, start with a comprehensive exam from a general dentist who can guide you to the appropriate specialist.

What Are the Different Types of Dentists? (Quick Overview)

A generalist dentist provides comprehensive primary dental care services, while a dentist specialist has completed additional years of training in a specific area of dentistry. Think of it like the difference between a family doctor and a heart surgeon – both are essential, but they serve different roles in your healthcare.

Each specialist completes 2–6 additional years of intensive training after dental school, focusing on a narrow area of the mouth, jaw, or facial structures.

Main Types of Dentists You Will Encounter

Here are the main what types of dentists are there and what they focus on:

• General Dentist: Primary oral health provider for routine and moderately complex care.
• Pediatric Dentist: Specialist in children’s dental health and development.
• Orthodontist: Expert in tooth alignment and bite correction.
• Periodontist: Specialist in gums, bone, and dental implant placement.
• Endodontist: Root canal and tooth pain specialist.
• Oral Surgeon: Surgical specialist for complex extractions and facial procedures.
• Prosthodontist: Expert in tooth replacement and full-mouth reconstruction.

General Dentist: Your Primary Point of Contact

A generalist dentist serves as your primary oral health provider, managing comprehensive dental care for patients of all ages. General dentists complete four years of dental school and provide the foundation of routine dental care that keeps your mouth healthy throughout your life.

If you are wondering what type of dentist do I need, the answer almost always begins with a general dentist.

Core Services Provided by General Dentists

General dentists offer a wide range of dental procedures and services that cover most patient needs:

• Preventive care: Routine cleanings, comprehensive oral exams, fluoride treatments, dental sealants, and oral cancer screening (often using technology like VELscope).
• Restorative treatments: Fillings for tooth decay, crowns, bridges, and basic denture services.
• Basic surgical procedures: Simple tooth extractions, minor gum treatments.
• Root canal therapy: Basic endodontic treatment on single-rooted teeth.
• Cosmetic services: Teeth whitening, bonding, and minor aesthetic improvements.

Many general dentists also provide specialized services depending on their additional training, including basic dental implant placement or simple orthodontic treatments like clear aligners.

When General Dentists Refer to Specialists

Your general dentist acts as the central coordinator of your dental care, determining when specialized treatment is necessary. For example, while they can handle simple extractions of loose or visible teeth, they’ll refer you to Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons for deeply impacted wisdom teeth extraction or complex surgical extractions near nerves.