Specialists who treat problems that deal with the nerve of the tooth. This specialist may perform simple to difficult root canal treatments, or possibly a surgical root procedure, called an apicoectomy (surgically removing the tip of the root) or a root amputation (removing a root on a multi-rooted tooth).

Oral Surgeons perform many aspects of surgery in and about the head area, including:

• Simple extractions
• Complex extractions involving removal of soft tissue or overlying bone or remaining roots.
• Impacted teeth (especially wisdom teeth) involving removal of soft tissue and/or overlying bone.
• Soft tissue biopsies.
• Removal of tumors in the oral cavity.
• Implant placement.
• Complex jaw realignment surgeries (orthognathic surgery) involving facial or bite discrepancies.
• Jaw or facial fracture stabilization (repair of fractured cheek or jaw bones).
• Repair of soft tissue problems (cleft palate or lip).

An Orthodontist's goal is to straighten patient's teeth through movement of the teeth through bone by the use of bands, wires, elastics, headgears and other fixed or removable appliances or retainers to achieve a balance between facial muscles and teeth. This specialist treats children as well as adults who may desire to improve their appearance and bite.

Prosthodontists are specialists who deal with simple to complicated full-mouth restorations or full-mouth rehabilitation; and may perform the following procedures:

• Crowns
• Fixed bridges
• Partial dentures
• Full dentures
• Overdentures
• Implant reconstruction
• Full mouth reconstruction/occlusal rehabilitation
• Cosmetic dentistry
• Treatment of temporomandibular/orofacial pain disorders-the patient may have pain associated with headache, neck, shoulder, head, jaw, or other closely related area and/or limited movements in any of these areas.

Some prosthodontists have further training in maxillofacial prosthodontics and treat patients who need prosthetic appliances, devices, or reconstruction or replacement of facial deformities.

Other dental specialists who may be called upon to assist in the evaluation of a patient are:

• Oral Medicine
• Oral Pathologist
• Dental Anesthetist

A Pediatric Dentist focuses on younger patients from children as young as one or two to early adulthood. This dentist can detect, treat, or refer, as needed, problems with decayed, missing, crowded, or crooked teeth.

A Periodontist deals with soft tissue of the mouth and the supporting structures (bone) of the teeth. This dentist diagnoses and treats gingivitis (inflammation of the gingival tissue) as well as periodontitis (gingival tissue and bone disease). The following procedures may be performed by this specialist:

• 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 (gingivoplasty or gingivectomy).
• Hard tissue recontouring (osteoplasty).
• Implant placement.