Dental Specialists Explained: Who Does What, and When a Dentist May Refer You
A referral can arrive with very little explanation: a specialty you have not heard of, a name, and an appointment somewhere else. A referral is a hand-off between clinicians, and it is easier to follow when you know who is on the other end. What follows covers what each specialist does, how long the training takes, and the circumstances in which a general dentist may refer someone on. Not every specialty is covered.
What each dental specialist does
- Endodontists are root canal specialists who treat conditions inside the tooth (Cleveland Clinic).
- Oral surgeons do extractions and other complex surgeries involving the mouth and teeth (Cleveland Clinic).
- Orthodontists align the bite with braces, clear aligners and other appliances (Cleveland Clinic).
- Periodontists treat gum disease and other conditions affecting the tissues that support the teeth (Cleveland Clinic).
- Prosthodontists make tooth prosthetics like crowns, bridges and dentures (Cleveland Clinic).
How long the training takes
In the U.S., general dentists usually go to school for eight years: four years of undergraduate studies and four years of dental school. Dental specialists go to school for 10 to 11 years. A dentist who wishes to become certified must pass rigorous testing that includes written, oral and clinical exams after graduating from dental school or residency (Cleveland Clinic).
When a general dentist may refer
A general dentist may offer many prosthodontic procedures, but will likely refer you to a prosthodontist if your case is complex or if they need to coordinate treatment (Cleveland Clinic).
A dental professional may refer a patient to a periodontist, a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of gum disease (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research).
Where to go next
Related questions are covered elsewhere: what DDS and DMD mean, and root canal or extraction, including what an endodontist is.
Our office is at 147 Main St, 2nd Floor, Lodi, NJ 07644, and Dr. Steven Liao is our dentist. If becoming a patient is your next step, see our new-patient page.
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic. "Dentist." Updated 2024-09-03. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24448-dentist
- Cleveland Clinic. "Prosthodontics." Updated 2026-05-19. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23904-prosthodontics
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. "Periodontal (Gum) Disease." https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/gum-disease
