As with any area of the body, your dental health changes over time, and your healthcare needs change with it – from routine check-ups to more advanced treatments, like implants or root canals. With so much in constant flow, choosing the right kind of dentist – general or specialist – is hugely important.
But how do you know which one you need? Here, we’ll explain the key differences and highlight the specialist services we offer at our Bristol practice.
What is a general dentist?
A general dentist provides routine dental care like check-ups, fillings, and cleaning. They’re your first point of contact for most “everyday” dental needs.
General dentistry provides the foundations of great dental health, with a focus on preventing problems and minimising damage, in a timely way. So, if you’re in need of routine care, an examination, filling, or hygiene appointment, a general dentist is the best option.
A general dentist can take a holistic view of your oral health, based on years of dental training. They’ll have studied for a five-year dental degree, followed by one to two years of supervised practice. They’ll also be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC): the professional body for dentistry. With broad expertise, it’s their job to spot the early warning signs of issues, and monitor these closely.
What is a specialist dentist?
A specialist dentist has undergone additional training in a specific field, such as root canals, gum treatment, or dental implants.
After gaining the same base-level qualifications as a general dentist, a specialist chooses to focus on honing their expertise in a dedicated field, undergoing the strenuous training, experience and examinations they’ll need to register with the GDC as a specialist.
Common specialisms include periodontics (gums), endodontics (root canal therapy), prosthodontics (restorative care like bridges and dentures), orthodontics (braces and Invisalign treatment), and oral surgery (like extractions and implants). In short, a specialist has a higher degree of diagnostic and clinical ability than general dental practitioners.
Why see a specialist?
A specialist’s skills and expertise really come into play if you have more complex or long-term dental issues. This could be the case if you’ve suffered from gum disease, tooth loss or damage, or conditions that need surgery. In this situation, a specialist can bring a high level of precision to your journey, creating an integrated treatment plan just for you. For this reason, referrals to a specialist are often made by general dentists, who can identify when a particular case needs more focused support.
Specialist treatments at The Bristol Dental Practice
At The Bristol Dental Practice, we have a team of registered specialists, meaning we can care for patients with complex needs in-house, rather than sending you elsewhere. We offer a number of specialist dental treatments, including:
- Dental implants – planning, placement, and restoration;
- Root canal therapy (endodontics) – complex canals and re-treatment;
- Gum disease treatment (periodontics) – deep cleaning and surgery;
- Prosthodontics – crowns, bridges, dentures, and full-mouth reconstructions;
- Orthodontics – Invisalign and fixed braces;
- Oral surgery – wisdom teeth and extractions.
Choosing the right dental clinic in Bristol
If you’re looking for a dental specialist, it’s important to carry out your research, so that you can make an informed choice.
A primary factor to consider is the team’s qualifications: are they the right people to entrust with your care? Be sure to check their credentials so that you know you’ll be in safe hands. You may also want to consider the range of services they offer under one roof – if their in-house expertise is limited, will you be passed from pillar to post? – their technology and facilities, and their referral process.
As with any area of the body, your dental health changes over time, and your healthcare needs change with it – from routine check-ups to more advanced treatments, like implants or root canals. With so much in constant flow, choosing the right kind of dentist – general or specialist – is hugely important.
But how do you know which one you need? Here, we’ll explain the key differences and highlight the specialist services we offer at our Bristol practice.
What is a general dentist?
A general dentist provides routine dental care like check-ups, fillings, and cleaning. They’re your first point of contact for most “everyday” dental needs.
General dentistry provides the foundations of great dental health, with a focus on preventing problems and minimising damage, in a timely way. So, if you’re in need of routine care, an examination, filling, or hygiene appointment, a general dentist is the best option.
A general dentist can take a holistic view of your oral health, based on years of dental training. They’ll have studied for a five-year dental degree, followed by one to two years of supervised practice. They’ll also be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC): the professional body for dentistry. With broad expertise, it’s their job to spot the early warning signs of issues, and monitor these closely.
What is a specialist dentist?
A specialist dentist has undergone additional training in a specific field, such as root canals, gum treatment, or dental implants.
After gaining the same base-level qualifications as a general dentist, a specialist chooses to focus on honing their expertise in a dedicated field, undergoing the strenuous training, experience and examinations they’ll need to register with the GDC as a specialist.
Common specialisms include periodontics (gums), endodontics (root canal therapy), prosthodontics (restorative care like bridges and dentures), orthodontics (braces and Invisalign treatment), and oral surgery (like extractions and implants). In short, a specialist has a higher degree of diagnostic and clinical ability than general dental practitioners.
Why see a specialist?
A specialist’s skills and expertise really come into play if you have more complex or long-term dental issues. This could be the case if you’ve suffered from gum disease, tooth loss or damage, or conditions that need surgery. In this situation, a specialist can bring a high level of precision to your journey, creating an integrated treatment plan just for you. For this reason, referrals to a specialist are often made by general dentists, who can identify when a particular case needs more focused support.
Specialist treatments at The Bristol Dental Practice
At The Bristol Dental Practice, we have a team of registered specialists, meaning we can care for patients with complex needs in-house, rather than sending you elsewhere. We offer a number of specialist dental treatments, including:
- Dental implants – planning, placement, and restoration;
- Root canal therapy (endodontics) – complex canals and re-treatment;
- Gum disease treatment (periodontics) – deep cleaning and surgery;
- Prosthodontics – crowns, bridges, dentures, and full-mouth reconstructions;
- Orthodontics – Invisalign and fixed braces;
- Oral surgery – wisdom teeth and extractions.
Choosing the right dental clinic in Bristol
If you’re looking for a dental specialist, it’s important to carry out your research, so that you can make an informed choice.
A primary factor to consider is the team’s qualifications: are they the right people to entrust with your care? Be sure to check their credentials so that you know you’ll be in safe hands. You may also want to consider the range of services they offer under one roof – if their in-house expertise is limited, will you be passed from pillar to post? – their technology and facilities, and their referral process.
Patient reviews are an invaluable source of information, allowing you to hear from real people about their experiences. A good dental clinic should have a wealth of reviews and testimonials available to browse.
It’s also helpful to ask whether the care provider you’re considering has a long waiting list. For example, the current wait time to remove a lower wisdom tooth (with sedation) at both the Bristol Dental Hospital and the Bath Royal United Hospital is over 12 months – a long time to wait if these teeth are causing you pain.
Here, we’re happy to be open and transparent about the way we work, and how we can help. We take a multidisciplinary approach, drawing on the diverse expertise of our dental team. This team includes experienced general dentists, who’ve created a career out of excellent patient care, and highly qualified specialists, who can step in to treat more complex cases.
And, in contrast to the long waiting lists you might encounter elsewhere, we offer appointments seven days a week, with same-day emergency appointments where we can. We’re centrally located in Bristol’s Queen Square, making it easy to reach us by public transport or during a working day.
Need to see a specialist?
For advanced care, a specialist dentist really can make all the difference. Seeing a specialist means greater peace of mind, more effective treatment, and ultimately a much better outcome for you.
Whether you need specialist treatment or just want expert guidance, The Bristol Dental Practice is here to help. Contact us today to book a consultation.
Patient reviews are an invaluable source of information, allowing you to hear from real people about their experiences. A good dental clinic should have a wealth of reviews and testimonials available to browse.
It’s also helpful to ask whether the care provider you’re considering has a long waiting list. For example, the current wait time to remove a lower wisdom tooth (with sedation) at both the Bristol Dental Hospital and the Bath Royal United Hospital is over 12 months – a long time to wait if these teeth are causing you pain.
Here, we’re happy to be open and transparent about the way we work, and how we can help. We take a multidisciplinary approach, drawing on the diverse expertise of our dental team. This team includes experienced general dentists, who’ve created a career out of excellent patient care, and highly qualified specialists, who can step in to treat more complex cases.
And, in contrast to the long waiting lists you might encounter elsewhere, we offer appointments seven days a week, with same-day emergency appointments where we can. We’re centrally located in Bristol’s Queen Square, making it easy to reach us by public transport or during a working day.
Need to see a specialist?
For advanced care, a specialist dentist really can make all the difference. Seeing a specialist means greater peace of mind, more effective treatment, and ultimately a much better outcome for you.
Whether you need specialist treatment or just want expert guidance, The Bristol Dental Practice is here to help. Contact us today to book a consultation.