If you have a throbbing toothache, you should certainly seek professional dental care right away. In order to preserve your tooth, you might need to undergo root canal therapy. But whom should you visit? Your general dentist or an endodontist? Both types of practitioners know how to perform root canals, but there are some key differences between them. This blog post explores what you should know before you choose your care provider.
WHAT IS AN ENDODONTIST?
An endodontist is a dentist who has completed extensive additional training and education. Ther expertise focuses on the dental pulp, the soft substance in the interior of teeth that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. (The pulp is the main portion of the tooth that is treated during root canal therapy.) Endodontists usually need to complete 2 – 3 years of extra training after dental school in order to earn their title.
EXPERIENCE WITH ROOT CANAL THERAPY
On average, an endodontist performs around 25 root canal procedures each week. In contrast, many general dentists only perform this procedure once or twice each week. Due to their extensive experience, many endodontists have seen all types of situations, from relatively straightforward cases to very complex cases.
TECHNOLOGY
Because root canal therapy is not a center point of most general dentistry practices, many general dentists do not invest in advanced technology that can make the treatment as thorough and successful as possible. Endodontists, on the other hand, have instruments at their disposal that truly enhance the patient experience. For example, they often use special microscopes that help them see inside the tiny canals in the roots of the teeth so they can thoroughly clean out infected tissues.
TREATMENT TIME
Often, root canal patients who visit an endodontist spend less than one hour in the treatment chair. In most cases, the entire procedure can be completed in a single appointment. General dentists may prefer longer (or multiple) appointments as they strive to provide complete treatment.
PAIN MANAGEMENT
Is it sometimes challenging for your general dentistry team to make sure your mouth is completely numb? That can increase the discomfort associated with your root canal procedure. Endodontists are often experts in pain management and can provide comfortable care even for patients who are not easily numbed.
MAKING YOUR CHOICE
General dentists are experts in oral health, but their broad focus often denies them the opportunity to truly excel in performing root canal therapy. If you want your treatment to go as smoothly as possible, it is worth your effort to connect with an endodontist in your area.
Meet the Practice
Liv Endodontics is proud to be the home of four talented endodontists, all of whom are passionate about providing effective, comfortable care that protects the long-term oral health of our patients. If you believe you need root canal therapy, they and our support team would be happy to serve you. Contact our Livingston office at (973) 577-6500.
