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Dentistry If your dentist has said:
“I’d like to refer you to an endodontist,”
you may have left the appointment with a new question.
What exactly is an endodontist?
Perhaps you’re also wondering why your usual dentist can’t treat the tooth, whether this means something is seriously wrong or whether you’ll have to change dental practices.
The simple answer is:
An endodontist is a dentist who has undertaken recognised specialist training in diagnosing and treating problems involving the dental pulp and tissues surrounding the roots of teeth.
Root canal treatment is an important part of endodontics, but it isn’t the only treatment an endodontist provides.
You’ll often hear people use “root canal specialist” because it is easier to understand.
The formal dental discipline is endodontics.
In the UK, the word Specialist has a specific professional meaning.
The General Dental Council maintains Specialist Lists for recognised dental specialties. Dentists may describe themselves as specialists in a particular discipline only when they are included on the relevant Specialist List.
At Evolve Dentistry, specialist endodontic care is provided by:
Specialist Endodontist
GDC no. 244328
No.
This is important.
General dentists routinely provide root canal treatment.
Being told that you need a root canal does not automatically mean you need specialist treatment.
Your dentist might suggest seeing an endodontist when they consider specialist assessment or treatment appropriate for a particular tooth or situation.
There isn’t one single reason.
Some teeth are simply more complex than others.
Referral might be considered where there is:
Your dentist should explain why they are recommending referral in your particular case.
No.
Referral is a normal part of healthcare.
Different clinicians have different scopes of practice, training and areas in which they concentrate their work.
A dentist recommending specialist assessment is making a clinical decision about the care they consider appropriate.
At Evolve, we are careful not to position specialist endodontic care as “better dentistry” or suggest that every root canal should be carried out by a specialist.
The question is simply:
What is appropriate for this tooth?
At Evolve, yes.
Alex accepts both:
Dentist referrals
and
Self-referrals
So if you’ve been told you need root canal treatment and would like a specialist assessment, you can contact Evolve directly.
You don’t need to ask another dentist to write a referral before speaking to us.
No.
This is particularly important for patients who already have a dentist they know and trust.
You can come to Evolve specifically for specialist endodontic assessment or treatment.
You can then continue your routine dental care with your existing dentist.
Where appropriate and with your consent, we’ll communicate with your dentist so that everyone understands what treatment has been provided and what needs to happen next.
Alex accepts patients for:
Treatment of the root canal system where the dental pulp has become inflamed, infected or damaged.
Further treatment of a tooth that has previously undergone root canal treatment.
Removal of existing components where necessary to gain access during endodontic treatment.
Assessment and management of certain unwanted communications between the root canal system and surrounding tissues.
A surgical endodontic approach involving the end of a tooth root, considered in selected circumstances.
Assessment and management of processes that result in loss of tooth structure.
You don’t need to work out which of these you need before contacting us.
That’s what assessment is for.
The first aim is to understand the problem.
Alex will review the relevant history, assess the tooth and consider any existing X-rays or other information available.
Further investigations may sometimes be required.
He can then discuss:
The consultation isn’t a commitment to proceed with treatment.
It is an opportunity to understand the problem and your options.
Not automatically.
CBCT imaging can provide a three-dimensional view of a tooth and surrounding structures.
This can sometimes provide useful additional information in more complex endodontic cases.
Alex will recommend a CBCT scan where he considers the additional information clinically useful.
Having an endodontic consultation does not mean you automatically need one.
The structures within teeth can be extremely small.
A dental operating microscope provides magnification and illumination, helping Alex see and work within the tooth.
Alex carries out his endodontic treatment using a microscope.
This can be particularly useful in complex treatment and retreatment.
It is important, though, not to confuse technology with a guarantee.
A microscope is a clinical tool. It cannot guarantee that every tooth can be treated or retained.
That is a possible outcome of specialist assessment.
Seeing an endodontist does not mean root canal treatment will automatically be recommended.
After assessment, Alex may conclude that:
A useful specialist opinion is still useful when the answer is:
“I don’t think further root canal treatment is the right option.”
Specialist endodontic consultation – £x
If treatment is recommended, we’ll explain the relevant fees before you decide whether you would like to proceed.
There is no obligation to have treatment simply because you’ve attended an assessment.
Reality: Root canal treatment is an important part of endodontics, but specialist endodontic care can also include retreatment, endodontic surgery and management of other problems affecting teeth and their roots.
Reality: You can receive specialist endodontic care and then continue your normal dental care with your usual dentist.
Reality: No clinician can guarantee that every tooth can be successfully treated or retained.
Reality: At Evolve, you can self-refer directly to Alex.
An endodontist is a dentist who has undertaken further recognised specialist training in endodontics and is registered as a specialist in that discipline. General dentists can and do provide root canal treatment.
Depending on your treatment plan, yes. If you’ve been referred by your own dentist, we’ll agree an appropriate plan for what happens after the endodontic treatment.
This service is designed so that patients can see Alex specifically for specialist endodontic care. If you already have a dentist, there is no expectation that you transfer your routine care.
Yes. Evolve accepts self-referrals for specialist endodontic assessment.
Not necessarily. Specialist assessment may be recommended for many different reasons, including complexity, previous treatment or diagnostic uncertainty.
You don’t need to know exactly what treatment you require before contacting us.
If your dentist has given you a referral letter, X-rays or other information, our team can explain how to send these to Evolve.
Speak to us about your referral
You can.
Specialist Endodontist
GDC no. 244328
Consultation – £x
Self-referrals welcome
Speak to our team about an endodontic assessment
Want to understand the treatment first?
Download: Your guide to root canal treatment
If your dentist has recommended seeing an endodontist, or you’d like a specialist opinion about a tooth, Evolve Dentistry in Portishead can help.
Dr Alex Brett is a GDC-registered Specialist Endodontist who provides assessment and treatment for a range of endodontic problems, including complex root canal treatment and retreatment.
You don’t need to be an existing Evolve patient or have a referral from your dentist to arrange a specialist assessment.
Find out more about root canal treatment and specialist endodontic care at Evolve
For independent information about specialist status, see the General Dental Council’s Specialist Lists information.
You can also read Evolve Dentistry’s CQC report.
💚 WE’RE HIRING! Join our award-winning team! 💚
Patient Care Advisor | Evolve Dentistry, Portishead
We’re not just looking for someone to answer the phone and book appointments.
We’re looking for someone who LOVES people, takes pride in making others feel welcome and believes that exceptional customer service is all about the little things. ✨
At Evolve Dentistry, our Patient Care Advisors are at the heart of everything we do. From the first friendly hello to helping patients feel comfortable and cared for, you’ll play a huge part in creating the experience we’re so proud of.
And the best bit? You don’t need dental experience!
If you’ve worked in hospitality, customer service, reception or another people-focused role, we’d love to hear from you.
💚 What we’re offering:
✨ £14.50–£17.50 per hour, depending on experience
✨ A supportive, award-winning team
✨ A beautiful, modern working environment
✨ Training and development opportunities
✨ Staff dental discounts
✨ Team socials and celebrations
✨ A workplace where you’re genuinely valued
📅 Working hours:
Tuesday afternoons, Wednesdays, Thursdays and one Saturday per month.
We’re looking for someone who’s warm, organised, confident, positive and passionate about making a difference to people’s day.
Sound like you? We’d love to meet you!
📩 Email hello@evolve-dentistry.co.uk to request an application pack.
⏰ Applications close Friday 30 October 2026.
💚 Know someone who’d be perfect for our team? Tag them below or share this post with them!
#EvolveDentistry #WereHiring #PortisheadJobs #NorthSomersetJobs #DentalCareers #PatientCare #JoinOurTeam
If you’re considering replacing an amalgam filling, you may have come across the term SMART.
SMART stands for Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique. It is a protocol designed to reduce exposure to mercury vapour and particles while an amalgam filling is being removed.
At Evolve, SMART amalgam removal is available for adults who have made an informed decision to replace their amalgam fillings.
Importantly, we don’t suggest that everyone should have their amalgam fillings removed, and we don’t make claims that removing them will improve your general health.
Swipe through for a simple explanation of what the SMART approach involves.
#SMARTAmalgamRemoval #AmalgamFillings #DentalCare #EvolveDentistry
If you’ve never visited Evolve before, here’s a little look around.
We know that walking into a new dental practice can feel daunting, particularly if it’s been a while since your last appointment.
We’ve designed Evolve to feel calm, welcoming and a little different from what you might expect from a dental practice.
But the most important part isn’t the building. It’s how you’re made to feel when you’re here.
Come in, make yourself comfortable in our patient lounge and let us look after you.
#EvolveDentistry #Portishead #PortisheadDentist #DentalCare
Gum disease can be surprisingly easy to overlook.
Bleeding when you brush, red or swollen gums, persistent bad breath or gums that seem to be receding are all things worth paying attention to.
The important thing is not to wait until something hurts. Gum disease can develop without causing pain, which is one reason regular dental and hygiene appointments matter.
In this short video, Yasmin explains some of the signs to look out for.
If you’ve noticed a change in your gums, mention it at your next appointment or get in touch with the team.
#GumHealth #DentalHealth #PreventiveDentistry #EvolveDentistry
🦷 Day one, first clinic!
Carol has sent us the first photos from her trip — and what a first day it’s been!
Working alongside five other dentists, the team saw an incredible 197 patients in just one day. ❤️
In Carol’s words:
“I’ve taken out more teeth today than I have in the past year!”
A very different day in dentistry from the ones Carol is used to back home at Evolve, and a reminder of just how much need there is for the care the team is providing.
We’re so proud of her — and we’ll be sharing more updates and photos from Carol’s trip as they come in. 🌍🦷
#EvolveDentistry #DentalOutreach #Dentistry #MakingADifference
Ever run your tongue over your teeth and wonder why they suddenly feel rough?
There are a few possible reasons, from plaque build-up to changes in the surface of a tooth.
In this short video, Yasmin explains some of the common causes and when it’s worth mentioning it to your dentist.
Noticing small changes in your mouth is useful. You don’t need to diagnose them yourself, but do tell us if something feels different.
#DentalHealth #OralHealth #Portishead #EvolveDentistry
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