When to See a Dental Specialist Instead of a General Dentist

Your general dentist will normally suggest who to see, but it helps to understand what each specialist

does so the referral makes sense. Some dental practices also bring several specialties together, which

can make coordinating care easier when a patient needs more than one type of treatment.

This article covers six common types of dental specialists and the situations where a visit makes sense.

It is general information only. Your own dentist knows your mouth and your health history, so always

follow their advice about when and where to get care.

Gums and Supporting Bone: The Periodontist

A periodontist focuses on the gums and the bone that hold your teeth in place. Mild gum inflammation is

common and is usually managed by your regular dentist and hygienist with better cleaning at home and

in the office. When gum disease goes deeper, though, it can cause pockets around the teeth, bone loss

and loose teeth.

Your dentist may suggest a periodontist if your gums keep bleeding despite good care, if measurements

of the gum pockets are getting deeper, or if your gums are pulling back from the teeth. Periodontists also

perform gum grafts, treat gum recession and often place dental implants. People with diabetes or other

conditions that affect healing are sometimes referred earlier, since gum problems can be harder to

control.

Specialist clinics can be particularly helpful when gum treatment needs to be coordinated with other

dental procedures. For instance, Vancouver Dental Specialty Clinic on West Broadway in Kitsilano brings

together periodontists, an endodontist and prosthodontists. Having these specialists in one practice can

make it easier to coordinate treatment when a patient's dental needs involve several areas of care.

Inside the tooth: the endodontist

Endodontists treat the soft tissue inside the tooth, called the pulp. The procedure most people know is

root canal treatment. Many general dentists do straightforward root canals, but some teeth are more

complicated. Molars can have curved or extra canals, and a tooth that has already had a root canal may

need to be treated again.

You might be referred to an endodontist for lingering pain to hot or cold, pain when biting that is hard to

pin down, a cracked tooth, or an infection that has come back after earlier treatment. Endodontists often

use magnification and detailed imaging to find canals that are hard to see.

Surgery of the mouth and jaw: the oral surgeon

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons handle surgical procedures involving the teeth, jaws and face. The most

familiar reason people see one is wisdom tooth removal, particularly when the teeth are impacted, sitting

close to nerves, or partly buried in bone. Surgeons also manage complicated extractions, bone grafting

before implants, jaw problems and certain injuries to the face.

Oral surgeons are trained to provide different levels of sedation and anesthesia. If you are anxious about

a procedure, or if your medical history makes a surgery more complex, your dentist may prefer that a

surgeon takes the lead.

Replacing and rebuilding teeth: the prosthodontist

Prosthodontists specialize in restoring and replacing teeth. That includes crowns, bridges, dentures,

implant-supported teeth and full mouth reconstruction. A general dentist can place a single crown or a

simple denture, but some cases need careful planning across many teeth at once.

A referral to a prosthodontist makes sense when several teeth are missing or badly worn, when your bite

has changed, when previous dental work keeps failing, or when you need a plan that coordinates

implants, crowns and dentures. They often work with periodontists and oral surgeons on these larger

cases.

Alignment and young patients: the orthodontist and pediatric dentist

Orthodontists diagnose and correct problems with how the teeth and jaws line up. Braces and clear

aligners are their best-known tools. Many people think of orthodontics as something for teenagers, but

adults are treated too, sometimes to make other dental work possible.

Your dentist may recommend an orthodontic assessment if teeth are crowded or spaced, if the bite is off,

or if a child's jaw seems to be growing unevenly. Early checks in childhood can help spot issues while the

jaw is still developing, even if treatment waits until later.

Pediatric dentists focus on infants, children and teens, as well as patients with special health care needs.

Many family dentists see children without any problem. A pediatric dentist may be a better fit for a very

young child with extensive decay, a child who is extremely anxious, or a child with medical,

developmental or behavioural needs that call for extra time and a specially set up office.

Making a referral work for you

When you get a referral, ask your dentist why they are suggesting it and what they hope the specialist

will do. Bring your X-rays or ask that they be sent ahead, along with a list of medications and health

conditions. In some cases you can book with a specialist directly, while other offices prefer a referral, so

check before you call.

You can also confirm that any dental professional you see is licensed. In British Columbia, the BC

College of Oral Health Professionals regulates dentists and other oral health professionals and offers a

public registry you can search.

Finally, keep your general dentist in the loop. Specialists usually treat one issue and then send you back

for ongoing care. Your regular dentist remains the person who sees the full picture, so follow their

guidance and the specialist's instructions, and ask questions whenever something is not clear.