What can a general dentist do vs. a specialist?

General dentists handle preventive care, cleanings, fillings, simple extractions, crowns, bridges, and basic root canals. Complex cases — impacted wisdom teeth, orthodontic treatment, gum disease treatment, root canal retreatment — are typically referred to specialists who have completed 2–3 years of post-dental school training in their specialty.

Do I need a referral to see a dental specialist?

In most cases, no — you can contact a specialist directly. However, your general dentist's referral is valuable because it comes with diagnostic records, X-rays, and clinical context. Some dental insurance plans require a referral for coverage of specialist visits.

How do I find a dental specialist near me?

The Dentist Ranker lets you filter by specialty — orthodontics, oral surgery, periodontics, endodontics, pediatric dentistry, and more. You can also ask your general dentist for a referral, which typically comes with records forwarded to the specialist.

General Dentist vs. Specialist: When You Need to See Each

April 18, 2026

## The Dental Specialties Explained The American Dental Association recognizes nine dental specialties. Here is when you need each one. ### Orthodontics Corrects misaligned teeth and jaws using braces, clear aligners (Invisalign), and other appliances. See an orthodontist if your bite is off, teeth are crowded, or for cosmetic alignment correction. ### Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Handles complex extractions (impacted wisdom teeth), jaw surgery, dental implant placement, facial trauma, and biopsies. Your general dentist will refer you when a procedure exceeds outpatient scope. ### Periodontics Focuses on the gums and supporting bone. See a periodontist for gum disease treatment, deep cleaning (scaling and root planing), gum grafts, and implant placement by a specialist. ### Endodontics Root canal specialists. See an endodontist for complex root canals, retreatment of failed root canals, cracked teeth, and dental trauma to nerves. ### Pediatric Dentistry (Pedodontics) Specialized training in dental care for children from infancy through adolescence, including patients with special needs. Pediatric dentists have child-friendly offices and training in behavior management. ### Prosthodontics Specialists in restoring and replacing teeth — crowns, bridges, dentures, implant-supported restorations, and complex full-mouth rehabilitation. ### Dental Public Health, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology Less commonly encountered in private practice — these specialties focus on community health programs, tissue disease diagnosis, and advanced imaging respectively. ## When Your General Dentist Will Refer You - Impacted wisdom teeth requiring surgical extraction - Orthodontic evaluation for children or adults - Moderate-to-severe gum disease (periodontitis) - Root canal retreatment or complex anatomy - Full-arch tooth replacement (implants) - Suspicious oral lesions requiring biopsy

Frequently Asked Questions

What can a general dentist do vs. a specialist?: General dentists handle preventive care, cleanings, fillings, simple extractions, crowns, bridges, and basic root canals. Complex cases — impacted wisdom teeth, orthodontic treatment, gum disease treatment, root canal retreatment — are typically referred to specialists who have completed 2–3 years of post-dental school training in their specialty.
Do I need a referral to see a dental specialist?: In most cases, no — you can contact a specialist directly. However, your general dentist's referral is valuable because it comes with diagnostic records, X-rays, and clinical context. Some dental insurance plans require a referral for coverage of specialist visits.
How do I find a dental specialist near me?: The Dentist Ranker lets you filter by specialty — orthodontics, oral surgery, periodontics, endodontics, pediatric dentistry, and more. You can also ask your general dentist for a referral, which typically comes with records forwarded to the specialist.