Although,general dentists are trained to do most of the procedures in everyday dentistry. The specialists are utilized to provide a higher standard of care and to treat the more difficult patients. Dentistry has the following recognized specialists: Endodontist, Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologist, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathologist, Oral Surgeon, Orthodontist, Pediatric -Dentist, Periodontist and Prosthodontist

Endodontist
An endodontist is the dental specialist concerned with the causes, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries of the human dental pulp or the nerve of the tooth. This specialist may perform simple to difficult root canal treatments or other types of surgical root procedures.

Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologist A radiologist is the oral health care provider who specializes in the production and interpretation of all types of X-ray images and data that are used in the diagnosis and management of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral and maxillofacial region.

Oral Medicine Oral medicine is the specialty of dentistry that provides for the care of the medically complex patient through the integration of medicine and oral health care. This includes the diagnosis and management of oral diseases including oral cancer, lichen planus, candidiasis, and aphthous stomatitis. Oral medicine also evaluates complex medical patients prior to open-heart surgery, chemotherapy, and cancer therapy, as well as hospital inpatients.

Oral Pathologist An oral pathologist is the oral health care provider who studies the causes of diseases that alters teeth, lips, cheeks, jaws as well as parts of the face and neck. They also examine and provide a diagnosis of the biopsy, tissue, or lesion sent to them by other oral health care providers.

Oral Surgeon An oral surgeon performs many types of surgical procedures in and about the entire face, mouth, and jaw area. The types of surgeries an oral surgeon may perform include: simple tooth extractions, complex extractions involving removal of soft tissue or overlying bone or remaining roots, impacted teeth (especially wisdom teeth) removal, soft tissue biopsies, removal of tumors in the oral cavity, implant positioning, complex jaw realignment surgeries involving facial or bite discrepancies, fractured cheek or jaw bone repair and soft tissue (cleft palate or lip) repair.

Orthodontist This is the specialist whose responsibility is to straighten teeth by movement of the teeth through bone by the use of bands, wires, braces, and other fixed or removable corrective appliances in children as well as adults who may wish to improve their appearance and bite.

Pedodontists/Pediatric Dentist The training focuses on management and treatment of a child's developing teeth, child behavior, physical growth and development, and the special needs of children's dentistry.Periodontist This dentist diagnoses and treats gums as well as and bone disease. A periodontist may perform the following procedures: simple and deep pocket cleanings, root planing, crown lengthening procedures, soft tissue and/or bone grafting, gingival or flap procedures, soft tissue recontouring or removal, hard tissue recontouring and implant placement.

Why a Prosthodontist?
Training includes crowns, bridges, dentures, cosmetics, tempromandibular joint dysfunction and dental implants. They provides an extremely high level of care for patients who are missing teeth or have significant damage to their existing teeth. Prosthodontists deal with congenital defects as well as problems arising from trauma and neglect. The Prosthodontist can aid in the rehabilitation of a complete dentition or merely in the replacement of one or two teeth. With the advent of dental implants as a viable means of replacing teeth, the prosthodontist's role has expanded substantially. A Prosthodontist has the training necessary to plan and coordinate the very complex type of dental treatment that involves dental implants. Patients contemplating dental implants or major changes in their appearance should consult with a prosthodontist to assure that they are gaining the best possible care for their dentition. All dentistry should look good! Sometimes the sole motivation for dental treatment is to improve one's appearance. In these situations, the prosthodontist shines as the individual who is really trained to make significant improvements in your appearance and your smile. Prosthodontic training stresses the cosmetic as well as the functional aspects of dental reconstruction.