Dentists, periodontists, and orthodontists are Doctors of Dental Surgery (DDS). All three types of health care providers go through dental school, but orthodontists and periodontists are dental specialties, focusing on specific aspects of oral health and dentistry.
DentistA dentist, or general dentist, is like a primary care doctor, but for oral care. Dentists help patients maintain good oral health, test for disease, treat oral conditions, perform certain dental procedures, and more. Some types of care a general dentist can provide are:
- Oral exams
- X-ray services
- Tooth extraction (pulling)
- Tooth repair
- Crown and veneer placement
- Sealant application
- Cavity filling
- Gum disease treatment
- Prescription for oral disease
- Whitening
- Oral surgery
OrthodontistLike dentists, orthodontists are Doctors of Dental Surgery. An orthodontist undergoes several years of specialized training and residency to focus on tooth and jaw alignment. Dentists who specialize in orthodontics can diagnose and treat oral conditions, but mostly focus on the setting of the teeth and jaw.
Services orthodontists generally perform include:
- Installing tooth alignment treatment plans like braces and retainers
- Tracking facial growth and dental development (like jawline and bite) in children
- Performing certain oral surgeries, like tooth straightening or implant placement
PeriodontistPeriodontists are dentists who specialize in diagnosing and treating gum disease. In addition, periodontists have received specialized training in the bones and ligaments surrounding the teeth.
Some types of care a periodontist can provide include:
- Diagnosing and treating gum disease (such as gingivitis)
- Prescribing oral medicine to treat gum disease
- Tooth extractions
- Bone grafting
- Scaling and root planing
- Flap surgery
- Laser gum surgery
EndodontistsEndodontists are dentists who specialize in saving teeth and diagnosing tooth pain. An endodontist focuses on the inside tissues of the tooth, to keep teeth healthy, pain-free, and in place. Some types of care an endodontist can provide are:
- Root canals (this is the most common type of care an endodontist provides)
- Crown placement
- Cracked tooth repair
- Apicoectomy (removing the tip of a tooth’s root)