General dentists are legally allowed to perform all dental specialties like periodontics (gums), endodontics (root canal), orthodontics (braces) or oral surgery.  Though there are some general dentists who might be excellent at performing specialty dentistry it would be a wise idea for most patients to seek out a specialist when they need specialty work.  A dental specialist should be able to perform their given specialty treatment at a higher level of care and at a faster rate.  The higher fee that may be charged is worth it.