Fields of Dentistry

[Updated June 2007]

Authored By: Lesley Ranft

Dentistry has nine fields, each of which requires additional schooling beyond the four years associated with D.D.S and D.M.D degrees:

• Dental Public Health - Field of dentistry focused on the study of patterns, causes and control of diseases of the oral cavity among various groups of people (dental epidemiology) and social oral health policies.
• Endodontics - Field of dentistry focused on root canal therapy. The root canal is the hollow area located at the center of the tooth.
• Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology - Field of dentistry focused on the study, diagnosis, and treatment of a wide variety of diseases related to the mouth, jaw and face (and accompanying structures).
• Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology - Field of dentistry focused on the radiologic interpretation of diseases related to the mouth, jaw and face (and accompanying structures); here, imaging devices are used to study diseases of the oral / maxillofacial regions of the body.
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - Field of dentistry focused on surgeries related to the mouth, jaw and face (and accompanying structures). Dental implants, reconstructive surgery, cleft lip and palate procedures, and other oral surgeries are just a few of the procedures that fall within an oral and maxillofacial surgeon's field of expertise.
• Orthodontics - Field of dentistry focused on the straightening of teeth using dental braces and retainers. Orthodontia has become an increasingly popular field of dentistry within the United States in the last 20 years.
• Pedodontics (Pediatric Dentistry) - Field of dentistry focused on the dental treatment of children.
• Periodontics - Field of dentistry focused on the treatment of the supporting structures of the teeth; specifically focused on the treatment of bacterial infections of the gum tissue (periodontal disease).
• Prosthodontics - Field of dentistry focused on the creation of prostheses and restorations designed to treat facial anatomy abnormalities, such as complete dentures, crowns, dental implants, and bridges.

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