The dental specialties available in Shrewsbury and nearby cover root canals, gums, tooth replacement, children's care and oral surgery. Knowing what each one does helps you understand your options. At Southern York Smile Care in Shrewsbury, PA, Dr. Steven Haywood is a general dentist who provides a wide range of care in one office and refers to specialists when a case calls for it.
This guide explains how general dentists and specialists differ, what the main specialties do, and how to know when a referral makes sense.
General dentist or specialist: what is the difference?
Every dentist completes dental school and earns a DDS or DMD degree. A general dentist then cares for patients of all ages across most areas of dentistry: exams, cleanings, fillings, crowns, bridges, gum care, cosmetic work and more. Many general dentists also complete advanced training in particular areas over their careers.
A dental specialist completes an additional accredited residency program, usually two to six years, in one area, and then limits their practice to that area. The American Dental Association now recognizes twelve dental specialties.
Dr. Haywood is a general dentist, not a specialist. Dr. Haywood earned a DDS cum laude from the University of Detroit in 1987, completed a US Air Force advanced residency, trained in cosmetic dentistry through the NYU Aesthetic Continuum, and is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and an Elite Invisalign Provider, with more than 35 years in practice. That training lets the office handle many treatments in-house, while still working with specialists when that is best for you. Learn more on our meet the doctor page.
The most common dental specialties
Here are the specialties patients in the Shrewsbury, York and northern Baltimore County area are most likely to hear about.
Endodontics: root canal care
Endodontists focus on the inside of the tooth: the pulp, nerve and the tissues around the root tip. They perform root canal therapy, retreat root canals that have not healed, and handle complex root anatomy or root surgery. Many routine root canals are done by general dentists. See our root canals page and the article calming root canal fears.
Periodontics: gums and supporting bone
Periodontists treat diseases of the gums and the bone that holds teeth in place. They manage advanced gum disease, perform gum and bone grafts, and often place implants. Early to moderate gum disease is commonly treated by general dentists. Read about our gum disease treatments.
Prosthodontics: replacing and restoring teeth
Repairing damaged teeth and replacing missing ones is called restorative dentistry. Prosthodontists have advanced training in complex cases involving crowns, bridges, implant restorations, veneers and full or partial dentures. General dentists provide much of this care too. See restorative dentistry.
Children's dental specialists
Infants, children and teens have different needs from adults. Pediatric dental specialists train further in the growth of children's teeth and jaws, behavior guidance, and care for children with special health needs. Most children can see a general dentist for routine care. Read about our children's dentistry.
Oral and maxillofacial surgery
Oral surgeons perform surgery on the teeth, mouth, jaws and face. That includes complex extractions, impacted wisdom teeth, jaw surgery, repair after injury, and treatment of tumors and cleft lip and palate. General dentists often handle simpler extractions. See oral surgery and extractions.
Orthodontics
Orthodontic specialists diagnose and correct bite and alignment problems in children and adults, using braces, aligners and other appliances. Many general dentists also straighten teeth with clear aligners.
Other specialties
The remaining specialties are less often seen by most patients: dental anesthesiology, dental public health, oral and maxillofacial pathology, oral and maxillofacial radiology, oral medicine, and orofacial pain.
Care you can get at Southern York Smile Care
Because of Dr. Haywood's general dentistry experience and advanced training, many treatments that some offices refer out can be done in our Shrewsbury office:
- Root canal treatment and emergency dental care
- Gum disease treatment and full 60-minute cleanings
- Tooth extractions
- Single implants, implant bridges, All-on-4 and guided implant surgery, planned with Green CT 3D imaging
- Crowns, bridges, dentures and porcelain veneers
- Teeth straightening with Invisalign, including Invisalign Teen and Express, plus instant orthodontics (metal braces are not offered)
- Children's checkups and preventive care
- Oral cancer screening with ViziLite, a blue dye rinse and OralCDX
- Oral sedation for anxious patients
Keeping care under one roof can mean fewer appointments, one set of records, and a dentist who knows your whole history. It also means the person who planned your treatment is the one checking on it at every visit afterward.
When a referral to a specialist makes sense
Sometimes the best care comes from a specialist, either alone or as part of your treatment team. Dr. Haywood may recommend a referral when:
- A root canal is unusually complex, or an earlier one needs surgical retreatment
- Gum disease is very advanced or has not responded to treatment
- A wisdom tooth sits very close to a nerve, or surgery calls for general anesthesia
- A jaw problem needs surgical correction
- A suspicious area in the mouth needs a biopsy and specialist review
- A child needs care that is best given in a specialty setting
If you are referred, you should understand why, and your records and X-rays can go with you. You can return to us for your ongoing checkups and cleanings.
Questions to ask about any referral
- What exactly will the specialist do that is different from treatment here?
- Is the treatment urgent, or can it be planned around my schedule?
- Will I need to come back to my general dentist afterward, for example for a crown after a root canal?
- How will the two offices share information about my care?
- How does the specialist handle insurance and payment?
Good answers to these questions make the handoff smooth and help you feel confident about each step. Never hesitate to ask for an explanation in plain words.
Paying for your care
Southern York Smile Care is out of network with every insurer. You pay at your visit, and the team files the claim so your plan can reimburse you. Specialists may handle insurance differently, so it is worth asking their office directly. For treatment at our office, CareCredit and Cherry payment plans are available; see financing.
Start with a visit in Shrewsbury
If you have concerns about your oral health and are not sure what kind of dentist you need, start with an exam. Dr. Haywood will explain what is going on, what can be done here, and when a specialist would serve you better. Call (717) 235-3871 or request an appointment at 4 S. Main St in Shrewsbury.
DDS cum laude 1987, US Air Force residency, NYU cosmetic training and Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, with 35+ years in practice.
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