Dental specialties in Türkiye: what orthodontists, endodontists, periodontists and others do
In Türkiye every graduate of a dental faculty is qualified to diagnose and treat diseases of the mouth and teeth. Specialisation is additional training on top of that, entered by exam and lasting several years. Dentistry has eight official specialties, and only dentists who complete that training may use the title “specialist”. Here we explain what each specialty does, which treatments a general dentist takes on, and the unofficial titles you often see in promotion.
Dentist and specialist dentist: the difference
Dental school in Türkiye takes five years. Graduates practise with the title “Dt.” and can carry out fillings, root canal treatment, extractions, dentures, crowns, gum treatment and implants to the extent of their training. Specialist training is entered through the national dental specialty exam (DUS) and completed at a university or training hospital, with a thesis and exams.
A dentist who completes it may use the title “specialist dentist” in that field. Specialisation doesn't mean a general dentist can't provide that treatment; it means deeper training and experience for complex cases.
The 8 dental specialties
| Specialty | Main areas |
|---|---|
| Oral and maxillofacial surgery | Impacted teeth, jaw cysts, advanced implant surgery, jaw fractures |
| Oral and maxillofacial radiology | Interpreting X-rays and CT scans, diagnosing oral lesions |
| Paediatric dentistry (pedodontics) | Baby teeth and young permanent teeth, prevention, behaviour management |
| Endodontics | Root canal treatment, retreatment, root-end surgery |
| Orthodontics | Tooth and jaw irregularities, braces and clear aligners |
| Periodontology | Gum disease, gum surgery, gum grafts |
| Prosthodontics | Crowns, bridges, dentures, implant-supported prostheses |
| Restorative dentistry | Fillings, aesthetic restorations, wear and decay |
“Implant specialist”, “cosmetic dentist”: unofficial titles
Implantology, cosmetic dentistry and smile design are not separate specialties in Türkiye. Courses, certificates and master's programmes exist in these areas, but they don't confer a specialist title. The health promotion regulation in force since 12 November 2025 also bans presenting certificate-based titles as “specialist”. Details: dental advertising rules in Türkiye.
Asking about a dentist's title is as natural as asking who will treat you. See how to tell a dental practice is licensed.
When you may be referred to a specialty
Most treatment is provided by general dentists. In the situations below, the opinion of a dentist in the relevant specialty may be sought:
- A wisdom tooth deep in bone or near the nerve, a large jaw cyst: oral and maxillofacial surgery. See wisdom teeth.
- Curved or calcified canals, recurring infection at the root tip: endodontics. See tooth cysts and root-end surgery.
- Skeletal jaw problems, guiding growth in children: orthodontics. See early orthodontics for children.
- Advanced bone loss, loose teeth: periodontology. See gum pocket treatment.
- Young children who struggle to cooperate with treatment: paediatric dentistry, with sedation or general anaesthesia if needed.
Questions you can ask at the examination
- Which dentist will treat me, and what is their title?
- Does my case need referral to a specialty, and why?
- If so, which part of the treatment will be done where?
- Will I get the whole plan in writing?
For more, see 12 questions to ask your dentist.
Dentists and referral at Dent32
Dent32's dentists are founder Dr. Hüseyin Aşçı, Dt. Anıl Işıklı and Dt. Fulya Toraman; their names and titles are in our dental team. After the examination we give you the plan in writing. If your case needs further assessment in a specialty, we tell you clearly and refer you with the reasons.
Dent32 Ağız ve Diş Sağlığı Polikliniği (Dent32 Dental Polyclinic) is at Barış Mah., Ginza Lavinya, E-5 Yanyolu No:30 D:179, 34520 Beylikdüzü, Istanbul and is open seven days a week. To book, call or WhatsApp +90 555 011 33 68, or use our contact page. At the examination we share the findings, the options and the approximate cost in writing; you are under no obligation to start treatment afterwards.
For clinic details, our dentists and the full list of treatments, visit Dent32, dental clinic in Beylikdüzü.
Frequently asked questions
Can a general dentist place implants?
Yes. Implants can be placed by dentists trained to do so; implantology isn't a separate specialty in Türkiye. In complex situations such as limited bone, a surgical opinion may be sought.
What are a pedodontist and an orthodontist?
A pedodontist has completed specialist training in paediatric dentistry, an orthodontist in orthodontics. Only dentists with that specialty may use these titles.
How do I know if a dentist is a specialist?
Ask the practice and the dentist; specialists state their title together with the specialty. The website and sign should show each dentist's name and title.
Is cosmetic dentistry a specialty?
No. Cosmetic dentistry isn't an official specialty in Türkiye; aesthetic treatments fall within general dentistry and specialties such as restorative dentistry and prosthodontics.
