General Dentist vs Specialty Dentist: Who Should You Consult?

With all the different specialties in dentistry, it is hard to know what is handled by your general dentist and what is handled by a specialist. This makes it more difficult than it should be to figure out who to consult when you have a problem or potential issue with your oral health. To help simplify the issue, we are going to discuss what dentists do compare with specialists in certain fields so that you have a better idea the next time you need to visit the dentist’s office.

It is important to remember that every dental practice is different, so services offered in one may not be the same at another dental clinic. Still, we are going to provide some basic information to help you determine who you should see in your unique situation to get the appropriate type of dental care.

General dentists handle most routine care

When you think about oral healthcare, the best way to look at a general dentist is like a primary care provider. They handle all of your basic needs and assessments and refer you to specialists when it is necessary. However, in times of crisis, you may want to speak with a specialist right away rather than having to go through another dentist.

All of the basic care you get on a regular basis is handled by a dentist and not a specialist. This means things like cleanings, exams, basic extractions, fillings, and teeth whitening. If these are the types of services you need most often, then you should stick with your dentist for consultations.

Your dentist will catch most problems early

Most of the time, you do not have to worry about specialized care because part of the job of your basic dentist is to diagnose issues as soon as they appear. This gives them time to come up with a treatment plan and, if necessary, refer you to a specialist. This way, you do not have to worry about who to consult because your dentist will set that up for you.

If you find yourself needing emergency care, that would be handled by an emergency dentist and is usually taken care of as quickly as possible. For other things, you usually have time to book a consultation and work out the details of your treatment.

Your dentist knows what specialist to send you to

The other problem that patients have with consulting a specialist is knowing which specialist to talk to. Some specialists deal with the outside of the teeth, others with the inside, some only handle surgical issues, and some have another type of specialty. The easiest way to get the right treatment is to let your dentist refer you to the specialist you need.