3 Reasons to Choose an Endodontist for Your Root Canal
Do you have a cavity or infection in the root of your tooth? Do you need a root canal to fix the problem? If you have an infected root, you're likely in a significant amount of pain and want the issue remedied as quickly as possible. While your general dentist may offer to perform the root canal, you may also want to look for a dentist who specializes in endodontics. Endodontics is the treatment of the root and pulp area of the tooth. Endodontists get additional schooling beyond dental school so they can specialize in this area. Even though most general dentists can perform root canals, there are three good reasons why you may want to see a specialist:
1. They may have an earlier opening. Most endodontists handle dozens of root canals each week. They don't do cleanings, traditional fillings, or any of the other work that dentists do. Since they only focus on root canals, they have more slots on their calendar for these appointments. If you're in a tremendous amount of pain and need to see someone as quickly as possible, you may have better luck seeing an endodontist instead of your regular dentist.
2. They work efficiently. Expertise and focus in one specific area often makes endodontists extremely efficient at performing root canals. While your traditional dentist may need several hours or even several visits to complete the procedure, an endodontist can often use his or her experience to help you get in and out of the office quickly. Also, since endodontists have received additional training, they can often identify complications that a general dentist may not notice. They can then treat those complications, which can reduce the likelihood that you'll need further follow-up procedures.
3. They use advanced technology. Again, since endodontists primarily do root canals, many of them invest in specialized equipment to help them perform that operation more efficiently. An endodontist may have high-powered microscopes, digital imaging equipment, and even ultrasonic instruments. All of this technology helps them drill as small of a canal as needed so you have as little pain as possible. They can also use this equipment to make sure they cleaned out all infected tissue and eliminated any chance of the infection reoccurring.
While a general dentist may be able to perform the root canal, most dentists don't invest in this high-powered root canal technology since root canals aren't a major part of their business. This means that they may need to manually drill a larger canal, leaving you with a longer and more painful recovery.
For more information, contact an endodontist in your area, like John P Poovey DMD PC. They can help you make the best decision for your root canal.
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