All forms of oral pain can be incredibly painful, stressful, and frustrating, so first things first: We're sorry if you're in pain from a tooth, gum, or any other oral issue.
We have hundreds of thousands of dentists available on our website along with ratings, directions, contact information and more.
However, many people are not sure what kind of dentist they need. Most dentists in the United States are broken into the following specialties.
General Dentistry
General Dentists specialize in diagnosing, preventing, and treating oral cavity conditions. Support for a dentist tend to come from dental assistant, hygienists, technicians, and dental therapists.
Many dentists also focus on specific specialties which are, in the United States, primarily recognized and certified by the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Board of Dental Specialties (ABDS). The specialties are listed and briefly summarized below.
ADA Recognized Specialties
- Dental Anesthesiology - provides general anesthesia, sedation, and pain control.
- Dental Public Health - studies and aids in public social health policies for dental health.
- Endodontics - focuses on the dental pulp (which is made up of the living connective tissue) - root canals etc.
- Oral and maxillofacial Pathology - primarily focuses on the study and diagnosis of oral and maxillofacial issues and diseases.
- Oral and maxillofacial Radiology - study and interpret the radiologic findings of oral and maxillofacial diseases.
- Oral and maxillofacial Surgery- focuses on surgerical intervention of oral issues - implants, extractions, etc
- Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopaedics - work to straighten teeth and correct malformed/positioned jaws.
- Periodontics - primarily focuses on the gums and maintenance of implants.
- Pediatric dentistry - focuses on the unique oral issues that arise as children grow as well as their general dentistry needs.
- Prosthodontics - provide dentrures, implants, bridges, etc.
ABDS Recognized Specialties
- Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry - provide dental implants.
- Oral medicine - focused on medicine for the mouth and nearby structues - also often train dentists. An intersection between medicine and dentistry.
- Orofacial Pain - diagnose and provice treatment and support for a wide range of pain felt anywhere in the mouth, jaw, and often the face.
- Dental Anesthesiology - same as above, they provide general anesthesia, sedation, and pain support.
Please select your state from the list below to find the profile of a dentist near you ready to help with your oral health needs.
