Spotlight practices rotate daily among the most complete profiles — nobody pays for a spotlight. Featured practices pay for their placement; it is always labeled “Featured” and shown here, separately from the directory listings and nearby practices. Neither is a recommendation or a ranking, and neither changes directory order or the facts on any profile. Nearby practices are shown by their relative location, and directory lists put the most complete profiles first — see our standards.
Spotlight · ArizonaStock photo · not the practice's
Arizona is home to 157 verified dental specialists across 19 cities, with plans like Delta Dental, Cigna, and Guardian widely accepted. Every listing is checked against the federal NPI registry. No paid ranking — paid placements are always labeled Featured.
Dental specialists handle the procedures general dentists refer out: endodontics (root canals), periodontics (gum disease and implants), prosthodontics (complex restorations and full-mouth rehabilitation), and oral surgery (extractions, implants, jaw surgery). Patients often find specialists through referrals from their general dentist or through their dental insurance network.
Dental Specialist in Arizona — frequently asked questions
Real questions Arizona patients ask — from finding the right practice and understanding insurance to costs, visits, and when to seek care.
City Select lists 157 verified dental specialists across 19 Arizona cities. Every listing is matched against the federal National Provider Identifier (NPI) registry, so you're seeing real, registered practices — not paid placements.
Use the insurance filter to narrow by Medicare, AHCCCS (Arizona Medicaid), Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and more — counts update for the city you choose.
Pick your city from the search bar or filter rail to see dental specialists in that area — the directory covers Scottsdale (32), Phoenix (27), Gilbert (22), Mesa (18), Chandler (17). You can also search by practice name, doctor name, insurance, or service to build a shortlist in seconds.
Yes. Every profile is sourced from the federal NPI registry maintained by CMS, and we never sell ranking. Listing order is determined by how complete a practice's verified profile is (services, providers, insurance, hours) — never by payment. Featured and sponsored placements are always clearly labelled as such and never change the directory order, a practice's verification status, or any fact on its profile. A practice can improve its position by claiming its listing and adding information — for free.
A dental specialist is a dentist with additional training in a specific area, such as root canals, gum and implant care, or complex tooth replacement. Your general dentist refers you to one when a problem goes beyond routine care.
An endodontist treats the inside of the tooth — root canals, cracked teeth, and dental trauma. A periodontist focuses on the gums and supporting bone, treating gum disease and placing dental implants. A prosthodontist restores and replaces teeth with crowns, bridges, dentures, and implant restorations.
You'll typically see an endodontist for a root canal, severe or lingering tooth pain, a cracked or injured tooth, or a re-treatment of a previous root canal. General dentists do many root canals, but complex cases are referred to an endodontist.
See a periodontist for gum disease that's beyond early gingivitis — deep gum pockets, gum recession, loose teeth, or bone loss — and for dental implant placement. Your dentist refers you when gum problems need specialized treatment.
Prosthodontists handle complex tooth replacement and restoration: full-mouth rehabilitation, multiple crowns or bridges, dentures, and implant-supported restorations, especially when the bite or aesthetics are complicated. Simpler cases are often handled by a general dentist.
Specialists are usually accessed through a referral from your general dentist, who coordinates your care, though some practices accept patients directly. Check whether your dental plan requires a referral for the visit to be covered.
Most dental plans cover specialist procedures like root canals and gum treatment, often paying around 50–80% of the cost for major procedures after your deductible, sometimes with prior approval. Implants and some advanced restorations may have limited or no coverage, so verify your benefits first.
A root canal removes infected or damaged tissue from inside the tooth, then cleans, fills, and seals it — usually saving a tooth that would otherwise need extraction. It's done under local anesthesia and is typically no more uncomfortable than a filling; a crown often follows to protect the tooth.
Early gum disease is managed with professional cleanings and good home care, while more advanced disease may need a deep cleaning (scaling and root planing), medication, or surgical and regenerative procedures by a periodontist. Treating it early helps prevent tooth and bone loss.
Dental implants are commonly placed by periodontists or oral surgeons, with the final crown or restoration often made by a prosthodontist or general dentist. Some general dentists place implants too — ask about a provider's training and experience.
Costs vary by procedure and complexity, with implants and advanced restorations among the more expensive. Many practices offer payment plans, and your dental plan may cover a share of treatments like root canals and gum care — ask for an estimate up front.
General dentists perform many straightforward root canals, but endodontists specialize in them and handle difficult anatomy, re-treatments, and complications. If your case is complex or a previous root canal failed, an endodontist is the more specialized choice.
Crowns cap damaged teeth, bridges replace one or more missing teeth using neighboring teeth for support, and dentures replace many or all teeth. General dentists make these for routine cases, while prosthodontists handle complex restorations and full-mouth rehabilitation.
Procedures are done with local anesthesia (and sedation when appropriate), so you shouldn't feel pain during treatment, though some soreness afterward is normal and manageable with over-the-counter pain relief. Modern techniques make procedures like root canals far more comfortable than their reputation suggests.
The specialist reviews your history and the referral, examines the area, and often takes X-rays or a 3D scan to plan treatment. They'll explain the diagnosis, options, and cost, and may begin treatment that day or schedule it.
Start with your general dentist's referral, then confirm the specialist's training (board certification in their specialty), experience with your procedure, and whether they take your insurance. Use the city filter here to find specialists near you and call to confirm availability.
Spotlight · ArizonaStock photo · not the practice's
Spotlight · ScottsdaleStock photo
Spotlight · PhoenixStock photo
Spotlight · GilbertStock photo
