There are many different types of dentistry.  I provide below an overview of the types of dentistry that I commonly encounter when running dental negligence claims upon behalf of clients:

Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry includes such treatment as fillings, both tooth coloured and silver (amalgam), crowns, bridgework and veneers.

Endodontics Endodontics would include Root Canal Treatment, the removal of the nerve of the tooth, and the sealing of the tooth to prevent further infections with a material commonly used, known as “gutta percha”. The picture inset shows the nerve of the tooth being removed with a small "reamer" or dental file.

Orthodontics
Orthodontics is the speciality which encompasses moving the teeth around the mouth using various appliances such as braces and retainers in order to improve the function of the teeth, or the aesthetics of the mouth.

Maxillo-Facial Surgery
Maxillo-facial surgery would encompass any oral surgery, for example removing the remnants of broken teeth from the jawbone, or indeed teeth which are erupted, buried or impacted.  Many referrals are made to maxillo-facial surgeons for removal of wisdom teeth which are impacted close to the lingual nerve, due to the danger of damaging the nerve upon extraction of the wisdom teeth.   

Maxillo-Facial surgeons (often called oral surgeons) also specialise in apicectomy, which is simply the removal of the apex of the tooth.  The apex is the very tip of the bottom of the tooth which is embedded into the jawbone.

Implantology
Implantology is the study of dental implants, which are often used to replace single or multiple teeth which have been lost.  Implants are a relatively new concept, but are now commonly placed. 

A titanium implant is placed within the jawbone, and left to heal.  During this healing process, the jawbone grows around the titanium implant holding it firm. A crown or bridge can then be placed into the implant by a post.  Implants if properly integrated into the bone, can last for years.

Periodontics
Periodontics concerns the diagnosis and treatment of gum disease.  Periodontal disease (from the Latin Perio, meaning around and dontal meaning teeth) is an infection which commonly starts as gingivitis, a condition commonly making the gums inflamed and sometimes bleed when brushing or flossing.  

If not brought under control by routine and adequate oral hygiene, then the condition can deteriorate further into periodontitis, a condition which can alter the stability of teeth, by eating away at the surrounding jawbone, making the gums recede (hence the saying to becoming “long in the tooth”), teeth then become loose and ultimately can fall out due to having no supporting bone, if not treated properly.

Prosthetics
Prosthetics is the art of replacing missing teeth with artificial ones. This would include for example dentures.

Temporomandibular Joint Dentistry
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint is the area in front of the ear, where the lower jaw hinges onto the base of the skull.  This can sometimes “click”.  There are specialist dentists who concentrate upon diagnosis and treatment of TMJ problems.