There are 12 different types of dentistry recognized by the American Dental Association, plus general dentistry. Each specialty focuses on a different part of your mouth, teeth, or jaw. Knowing the different types of dentists helps you pick the right one instead of guessing — or wasting a visit.
Most people only know a few dentist types: their regular dentist, maybe an orthodontist for braces, and a “cosmetic dentist” from an ad. But dentistry has grown into a wide field with specific training paths for gum disease, root canals, children’s teeth, jaw surgery, and even facial pain. This guide breaks each one down in plain language.
What Are the Different Types of Dentists?
The different types of dentists fall into two broad groups: general dentists, who provide everyday care, and specialists, who focus on one narrow area after extra training.
A general dentist is your main point of contact for oral health. They handle checkups, cleanings, fillings, and basic crowns. Think of them as your primary care doctor for your mouth.
Specialists go further. After finishing dental school, they complete 2 to 6 more years of focused training in one area — like straightening teeth, treating gum disease, or performing oral surgery. This extra training lets them handle harder cases with better precision.
As of 2026, there are 12 dental specialties officially recognized in the United States. That number has grown from just 9 before 2019, so a lot of older articles online are actually outdated.
General Dentist vs. Dental Specialist: What’s the Difference?
The main difference is depth of training and scope of care — general dentists treat routine issues, while specialists treat complex ones within a specific area.
| Aspect | General Dentist | Dental Specialist |
| Training | 4 years dental school | 4 years + 2–6 years residency |
| Scope | Broad, routine care | Narrow, complex cases |
| Procedures | Cleanings, fillings, basic crowns | Advanced, specialty-specific treatments |
| Cost | Lower | Often 20–40% higher for complex work |
| Referral | Not usually needed | Sometimes required (depends on insurance) |
Your general dentist is still the right first stop for most problems. They can treat simple cavities, do basic crown work, and often place aligners for mild cases. When something is more complicated — a badly infected molar, severe gum recession, or an impacted wisdom tooth — they’ll usually refer you out.
That referral isn’t a bad sign. It just means your case needs a level of training your general dentist hasn’t specialized in.
The 12 ADA-Recognized Dental Specialties Explained
Each of the 12 specialties covers one specific part of oral health, from tooth alignment to facial pain management.
Here’s a simple breakdown of what each one does:
| Specialty | Extra Training | What They Treat |
| Orthodontics | 2–3 years | Crooked teeth, bite problems (braces, aligners) |
| Endodontics | 2–3 years | Tooth pulp and roots (root canals) |
| Periodontics | 3 years | Gums and supporting bone (gum disease, implants) |
| Prosthodontics | 3–4 years | Replacing teeth (crowns, bridges, dentures) |
| Pediatric Dentistry | 2–3 years | Children’s oral health |
| Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery | 4–6 years | Extractions, jaw surgery, facial trauma |
| Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology | 3–4 years | Diagnosing mouth diseases, biopsies |
| Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology | 3–4 years | Advanced imaging and scans |
| Dental Public Health | 2–3 years | Community prevention programs |
| Oral Medicine | 3–4 years | Medically complex patients, oral-systemic conditions |
| Orofacial Pain | 2–3 years | TMJ, chronic jaw and facial pain |
| Dental Anesthesiology | 3–4 years | Sedation and pain management |
Three of these are fairly new. Dental Anesthesiology became the 10th recognized specialty in March 2019. Oral Medicine and Orofacial Pain followed in 2020, becoming the 11th and 12th. If you’ve read an article listing only 9 specialties, it hasn’t been updated in years.
Oral surgeons have the longest training path, at 4 to 6 years past dental school. That’s also why they tend to earn the most among dental professionals.
When Should You See a Dental Specialist?
You should see a specialist when your problem is complex, ongoing, or outside your general dentist’s comfort zone — otherwise, your regular dentist is usually enough.
Here’s a quick way to match your problem to the right specialist:
- Crooked teeth or bad bite → Orthodontist
- Toothache or infected root → Endodontist (simple cases can stay with your general dentist)
- Bleeding or receding gums → Periodontist
- Missing teeth → Prosthodontist or Periodontist (for implants)
- Impacted wisdom teeth → Oral Surgeon
- Child with cavities or dental anxiety → Pediatric Dentist
- Jaw pain or clicking → Orofacial Pain Specialist
- Mouth sores or unusual lesions → Oral Pathologist
A general dentist can still handle many of these at a basic level. But complex root canals, especially on back molars with curved roots, are best left to an endodontist. Studies show endodontists have a 95–97% success rate on root canals, compared to 85–90% for general dentists — mostly because they perform them far more often and use specialized tools like surgical microscopes.
Cosmetic Dentist vs. Prosthodontist: What’s the Real Difference?
“Cosmetic dentist” is not an official dental specialty, while prosthodontist is a formally recognized one with years of extra training.
This is one of the most common points of confusion in dentistry. Any general dentist can legally call themselves a “cosmetic dentist” — there’s no board certification required for that title. It usually just means they offer services like veneers or whitening.
A prosthodontist, on the other hand, completes 3 to 4 years of accredited residency focused on rebuilding and replacing teeth. For anything beyond simple whitening — like full-mouth reconstruction, complex bridgework, or multiple implants — a prosthodontist typically has far deeper training.
If you’re considering major cosmetic or restorative work, it’s worth asking directly: “Are you a board-certified prosthodontist, or is this general cosmetic work?” The answer can matter a lot for complicated cases.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Dental Specialist?
Becoming a dental specialist takes 4 years of dental school plus 2 to 6 more years of residency, depending on the specialty.
| Specialty | Residency Length | Total Education |
| Oral Surgery | 4–6 years | 12–14 years |
| Orthodontics | 2–3 years | 10–11 years |
| Endodontics | 2–3 years | 10–11 years |
| Periodontics | 3 years | 11 years |
| Prosthodontics | 3–4 years | 11–12 years |
| Pediatric Dentistry | 2–3 years | 10–11 years |
Oral surgery takes the longest because it involves hospital-based surgical training, similar to a medical residency. Orthodontics and endodontics are on the shorter end, at 2 to 3 years.
How Much Do Dental Specialists Earn? (2025 Data)
Dental specialists earn noticeably more than general dentists, with oral surgeons topping the list.
According to 2025 ADA data, the average specialist net income is $346,520, compared to $215,320 for general dentists. Here’s how individual specialties compare:
| Specialty | Average Salary | High-End Range |
| Oral Surgeon | $360,000–$400,000 | Up to $600,000+ |
| Endodontist | $330,000 | $400,000+ |
| Orthodontist | $250,000–$309,000 | $375,000–$450,000+ |
| Periodontist | $275,000 | $350,000–$400,000 |
| Prosthodontist | $280,000 | $350,000+ |
| Pediatric Dentist | $250,000 | $300,000+ |
| General Dentist | $175,000–$215,000 | $250,000+ |
The gap comes down to training length, procedure complexity, and demand. Oral surgeons handle the most complex, highest-risk procedures, which is reflected in their pay.
Do You Need a Referral to See a Dental Specialist?
Whether you need a referral depends entirely on your dental insurance plan — some require one, others allow you to book a specialist directly.
Some insurance plans need a formal referral from your general dentist before they’ll cover a specialist visit. Others let you self-refer without any extra paperwork. The safest move is to call your insurance provider or ask your general dentist’s office before booking.
Skipping this step is a common and costly mistake — patients sometimes book a specialist directly, only to find out afterward that their insurance won’t cover the visit without a referral.
What Are the Newest Dental Specialties?
The three newest dental specialties are Dental Anesthesiology, Oral Medicine, and Orofacial Pain, all added between 2019 and 2020.
- Dental Anesthesiology (2019) — manages sedation and pain control for complex or anxiety-heavy procedures.
- Oral Medicine (2020) — cares for medically complex patients, including those with diabetes, autoimmune diseases, or conditions affecting the mouth.
- Orofacial Pain (2020) — treats TMJ disorders, chronic facial pain, and headaches linked to dental issues.
These additions reflect how dentistry has expanded to cover more medically complex and pain-management needs, not just teeth and gums.
How to Choose the Right Dental Specialist for Your Needs
Choosing the right specialist comes down to matching your specific problem to their exact area of training — not just picking whoever is nearby.
- Start with your general dentist and describe your symptoms clearly.
- Ask if a referral is recommended or required by your insurance.
- Check whether the specialist is board-certified in their field.
- Ask about their experience with cases similar to yours.
- Confirm your insurance coverage before booking.
- For major or irreversible work, consider a second opinion.
For younger patients, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check by age 7, even if braces aren’t needed right away. This helps catch bite problems early.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Dentist
The most common mistake is assuming “cosmetic dentist” means the same level of training as a board-certified specialist — it doesn’t.
Other frequent mistakes include:
- Seeing the wrong specialist for the problem (like going to an oral surgeon for gum disease instead of a periodontist).
- Delaying specialist care for complex cases to save money, which often leads to costlier retreatment later.
- Not checking insurance referral rules before booking.
- Relying on outdated lists that only mention 9 specialties.
- Overlooking pediatric dentists, who are trained specifically in child behavior and developing teeth.
Dental Specialties Around the World: How Many Are There?
The number of recognized dental specialties varies by country — the U.S. has 12, the U.K. and Australia have 13, and Brazil recognizes 24 or more.
| Country/Region | Recognized Specialties |
| United States | 12 |
| Canada | 12 |
| United Kingdom | 13 |
| Australia | 13 |
| Brazil | 24+ |
| Global (2024 study) | 32 different specialties across 31 countries |
This variation exists because each country’s dental board sets its own standards. In Brazil, specialist growth has been fast — implant dentistry specialists grew by nearly 142% between 2013 and 2024, and orthodontists grew by about 73% in the same period.
Conclusion
Understanding the different types of dentists makes it much easier to get the right care without wasted visits or unnecessary costs. In the U.S., there are 12 ADA-recognized specialties, each trained for a specific part of oral health — from straightening teeth to managing chronic facial pain. Your general dentist remains the best starting point for almost any issue. When your case is complex, they’ll point you toward the specialist trained to handle it.
FAQs
How many types of dentists are there? In the U.S., there are 12 ADA-recognized dental specialties, plus general dentistry. Other countries recognize different numbers — the U.K. and Australia recognize 13.
What is the difference between a general dentist and a specialist? General dentists handle routine care like cleanings and fillings. Specialists complete 2–6 additional years of training in one focused area and handle more complex cases.
What type of dentist does root canals? Both general dentists and endodontists can do root canals, but endodontists specialize in them and have higher success rates on complex cases.
What type of dentist does braces? An orthodontist specializes in tooth movement and bite correction, though some general dentists offer basic aligner treatment.
What is a prosthodontist? A prosthodontist specializes in replacing missing teeth through crowns, bridges, dentures, implants, and full-mouth reconstruction.
Is “cosmetic dentist” a real specialty? No. It is not recognized by the ADA. Any general dentist can use the title without formal specialty training.
How long does it take to become a dental specialist? After 4 years of dental school, specialists complete 2 to 6 more years of residency, depending on the specialty.
What is the highest paid dental specialty? Oral and maxillofacial surgeons earn the most, with average salaries between $360,000 and $400,000, and up to $600,000+ in some cases.
Do I need a referral to see a dental specialist? It depends on your insurance plan. Some require a referral from your general dentist, while others allow you to book directly.
What are the newest dental specialties? Dental Anesthesiology (2019), Oral Medicine (2020), and Orofacial Pain (2020) are the three newest additions, bringing the total to 12.