Dentistry covers prevention, diagnosis, treatment and maintenance of oral health. The American Dental Association recognizes 12 dental specialties in addition to general dentistry, while many dental practices provide services that span several areas of care. [1]
This page is the top-level dental-procedures directory for ACE Dental Resource. It is designed to help you understand the main areas of dentistry and find the dedicated guide that matches your question. The individual pages linked below provide the detailed treatment information.
How the Main Areas of Dentistry Fit Together
Dental care does not always fit neatly into one category. A patient may need preventive care before restorative treatment, orthodontic care may overlap with cosmetic goals, and some procedures can have both functional and aesthetic purposes.
| Area | What it generally covers | ACE hub |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic Dentistry | Treatments primarily intended to improve the appearance of teeth, gums or the smile. | Cosmetic Dentistry |
| Restorative Dentistry | Repairing damaged teeth and replacing missing tooth structure or teeth. | Restorative Dentistry |
| Orthodontics | Diagnosis, prevention, interception and correction of malocclusion and related developing or mature orofacial problems. | Orthodontics |
| Dental Technology | Tools, digital workflows, imaging and technologies used in diagnosis or treatment. | Dental Technology |
| Sedation Dentistry | Approaches used to help selected patients manage anxiety, discomfort or the demands of dental treatment. | Sedation Dentistry |
| Oral Hygiene | Daily and professional care aimed at controlling plaque, preventing disease and maintaining oral health. | Dental Hygiene |
| Family Dentistry | General dental care provided across different stages of life, including children and adults. | Family Dentistry |
| General Dentistry | Broad primary dental care, including prevention, diagnosis and treatment of common oral-health problems. | General Dentistry |
Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry focuses on changing the appearance of the teeth, gums or smile. Some treatments can also restore function, so cosmetic and restorative dentistry can overlap.
Start with our Cosmetic Dentistry hub, then explore dedicated guides such as Teeth Whitening, Dental Bonding, Dental Veneers, Lumineers and Smile Makeover.
Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry addresses damaged or missing teeth and aims to restore oral function and, where appropriate, appearance.
Visit the Restorative Dentistry hub for treatment categories including crowns, inlays and onlays, dental implants and dentures.
Orthodontics
Orthodontics addresses tooth alignment and bite relationships. Treatment can involve fixed braces, clear aligners and other approaches selected according to the patient’s diagnosis and goals.
See the Orthodontics hub and its dedicated Invisalign and Six Month Smiles resources.
Dental Technology
Modern dental technology can support examination, diagnosis, treatment planning, restoration fabrication and treatment delivery. The technology itself is not a substitute for diagnosis; its value depends on how it is selected and used.
See Dental Technology for topics including CAD/CAM dentistry and other technology-related resources.
Sedation Dentistry
Sedation is an adjunct to dental care rather than a separate restorative or cosmetic treatment. Different approaches may be considered depending on the patient’s anxiety, medical history, procedure and the clinician’s training.
See Sedation Dentistry for a dedicated overview.
Oral Hygiene and Preventive Care
Preventive and daily oral care are the foundation for maintaining teeth and gums. NIDCR recommends brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between teeth regularly; plaque that remains can contribute to tooth decay and gum disease. [2][3]
See Dental Hygiene, Preventive Dentistry, Gum Disease and Bad Breath.
Family and General Dentistry
General dentistry provides broad primary dental care, while family dentistry emphasizes care across different ages and stages of life. Both can include prevention, examinations, diagnosis and treatment of common dental conditions.
See General Dentistry and Family Dentistry for dedicated overviews.
How to Find the Right Dental Resource
- Start with the problem or goal you want to understand.
- Use the relevant category above to find the appropriate treatment area.
- Read the dedicated procedure guide for detailed information.
- Discuss diagnosis, treatment alternatives and suitability with a qualified dental professional.
Online dental information can help you prepare questions, but it cannot replace an examination or individualized diagnosis.
Sources
- American Dental Association — Practicing Dentistry and Recognized Dental Specialties
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research — Oral Hygiene
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research — Tooth Decay
Illustrations of Dentistry Categories
The original ACE illustrations below depict several areas of dentistry described in this directory.
