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Dental Specialties
Not sure what kind of dentist you need? Each recognized dental specialty below links to a national directory of practices, browsable by state and city.
Pediatric Dentists (7,107 practices)
Pediatric dentists complete two to three years of residency after dental school focused on treating infants, children, and teens — including kids with special health care needs. They handle everything from first visits and cleanings to fillings and dental emergencies, in offices designed for children.
Orthodontists (7,683 practices)
Orthodontists specialize in straightening teeth and aligning bites with braces, clear aligners, and other appliances. Treatment typically runs 12–36 months; most practices offer free or low-cost consultations, and many treat both children and adults.
Endodontists (3,593 practices)
Endodontists are root canal specialists — they diagnose and treat problems inside the tooth (the pulp and nerves). Your general dentist may refer you to one for a complex root canal, a retreatment, or persistent tooth pain that's hard to diagnose.
Periodontists (2,475 practices)
Periodontists treat the gums and the bone supporting your teeth — gum disease, gum recession, and dental implant placement. See one if you have bleeding gums that don't improve, loose teeth, or you've been told you need gum surgery or an implant.
Prosthodontists (995 practices)
Prosthodontists specialize in restoring and replacing teeth: crowns, bridges, dentures, veneers, and full-mouth implant reconstruction. They handle the complex cosmetic and rehabilitation cases general dentists refer out.
Oral Surgeons (5,350 practices)
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons handle surgical care of the mouth, jaws, and face: wisdom teeth removal, complex extractions, dental implants, jaw surgery, and facial trauma. Most work by referral from a general dentist, and many offer IV sedation.
Everything else starts with a general dentist
Checkups, cleanings, fillings, crowns, whitening, and most everyday care happen at a general dental practice — and a general dentist is the right person to tell you whether you need a specialist at all.Browse general dental clinics by state, or check asymptom guide first. Some practices also carry subspecialty credentials you'll see on their profiles: oral pathology, oral & maxillofacial radiology, dental anesthesiology, orofacial pain, oral medicine, and public health dentistry.