Periodontist vs General Dentist: Career Differences
The periodontist vs general dentist career is an important topic for anyone considering a future in dentistry. Both professionals are important to the health of their patients’ mouths, but they have differences in education, career, salary, and overall job outlook.
So, if you are trying to decide between attending dental school and becoming a dentist, or returning after becoming a general dentist to specialize in a field like periodontics, understanding those differences is crucial in choosing a career path.
What is a General Dentist?
A general dentist is a provider of primary oral healthcare. They perform check-ups, diagnose, and treat with fillings, crowns, root canals, and preventive care. Often, patients first see a general dentist for dental concerns.
- Training: General dentists can practice after graduating from dental school without further specialization.
- Scope of Work: A general dentist has a broad scope of practice, encompassing preventive care, simple restorative procedures, and cosmetic dentistry.
- General dentist vs periodontist salary: General dentists typically have a reliable income, but may earn less than a specialist like a periodontist.
What is a Periodontist?
A periodontist is a dental professional who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum disease, as well as dental implant procedures.
- Training: A periodontist has gone through dental school and additional years of residency training, specializing in periodontology.
- Scope of Work: It will involve managing complex cases involving the gums, bone, and supporting structures of teeth.
- Periodontist career path explained: It requires an additional education and residency program, as well as an intense focus on surgery and implant-related techniques.
Difference Between a Periodontist and a Dentist
The difference between a periodontist and a dentist lies mainly in education, specialization, and scope of practice:
| Periodontist | Dentist |
|---|---|
| Dental school + 3 years of residency | Dental school (BDS/DDS/DMD) |
| Focus mainly on gum disease treatment, dental implants, and oral surgery | Focus mainly on preventive care, fillings, crowns, root canals, and cosmetic work |
| Advanced gum issues, implant procedures | Routine Check-up |
| Longer training | Quicker entry into practice |
General Dentist vs Periodontist Salary
General Dentist: General dentists perform everyday dental procedures like fillings, crowns, root canals, and preventive services. This means general dentists can start practicing as soon as they finish dental school, compared to the many years it takes to become a specialist.
In the U.S., the reported average annual income is between $160K–$180K.
Periodontists: Periodontists undergo several additional years of residency after dental school. Because of their emphasis on surgical procedures on gums and implants, and the procedures they perform in advanced cases, periodontists have the highest earning potential and thrive on expertise alone.
In the U.S, periodontists earn $220K–$250K per year.
Both professions can be lucrative; however, the salary comparison between a general dentist and a periodontist shows that periodontists tend to earn more because they have advanced surgical skills and provide higher-cost treatment. On the other hand, a general dentist can begin earning earlier because they spend less time in education and training programs.
Also Read: 5 Highest Paying Dental Jobs
Periodontist Career Path Explained
The process of becoming a periodontist involves more education and training than regular dentistry. The periodontist career path is as follows:
- Bachelor’s Degree: Complete an undergraduate program. Most students will pursue a program in science or some health-related field to assist them in preparing for dental school.
- Dental School: Complete a dental degree, which may be BDS, DDS, or DMD, which takes four years to complete.
- Residency in Periodontology: Complete three years in a residency training program that focuses on the treatment of gum disease, dental implants, bone regeneration, and oral surgery.
- Licensing & Certification: Complete national or regional board exams to practice as a licensed periodontist.
- Practice & Growth: Pursue work in private clinic practice, hospitals, group practice, academia, or research, with long-term opportunities for more advanced procedures as well as more earning potential.
Why Follow the Periodontist Career Path
Although the experience takes longer than general dentistry, this is the evolution: Advanced surgical skills. More esteem and recognition as a specialist. Higher earnings than general dentists. Opportunities to engage in research and use the latest treatments.
In short, the periodontist pathway, highlighted above, shows that additional years of training will lead to a rewarding career path and financial gain.
Dentist vs Periodontist Job Outlook
The outlook for the dentist versus the periodontist is positive for both careers since oral healthcare is necessary and always needed. However, both professions will grow differently based on patient needs and trends in treatment.
General Dentist Outlook:
- Dentists will always be needed for check-ups, fillings, crowns, and preventive treatments.
- Potential career opportunities exist in private practice, group practices, hospitals, and community clinics.
- It is also a shorter path into a career compared to becoming a periodontist. Dentists may practice immediately after graduating from dental school.
Periodontist Outlook:
- The demand for implants, gum surgeries, and regenerative procedures is growing.
- The growth of cosmetic dentistry is leading to an increase in the need for periodontists as patients continue to seek cosmetic corrections.
- Being a specialist has a lot of value, allowing periodontists to grow in their careers.
Final Thought on Difference between a periodontist and a dentist
The distinction between the career paths of a Periodontist and a general dentist primarily relates to the area of specialization. The general dentist has a diverse patient base, enjoys the freedom of time off, and gets back into practice quickly. The Periodontist typically makes a higher income, goes deeper in their education and training, and, due to specialization, has positive long-term career prospects. In the end, it’s up to the individual to decide to work in a general practice or a specialized surgical practice.
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FAQs About Periodontist vs General Dentist Career
Q1. What is the difference between a periodontist and a dentist?
While a dentist provides general care, a periodontist provides specialized care in managing gums and placing implants.
Q2. Who is paid more, a dentist or a periodontist?
Comparing dentist vs periodontist salary, in general, periodontists earn more than general dentists.
Q3. How long is the periodontist pathway?
The pathway to becoming a periodontist is about 7 years, usually, including dental school and residency.
Q4. Can a general dentist place implants?
Yes, general dentists can place dental implants, but periodontists have additional specialized training for complex procedures.
Q5. Who has a better job outlook, a dentist or a periodontist?
Both dentists and periodontists have a strong job outlook, but the job outlook is slightly better for periodontists because more people want implants.
Q6. Is it harder to be a periodontist than a dentist?
Yes, it is harder because it takes more time to get the training, and periodontists will generally have more advanced surgical skills than dentists.
Q7. Do I need more education to become a periodontist?
Yes, if you are a dentist and want to become a periodontist, you will have to complete a residency after dental school.
Q8. Why become a general dentist?
You would become a general dentist to start practicing sooner, have more opportunities for work-life balance, and treat a wider variety of patients.
Related Article: Which Career Path is Better for Periodontists
