When you have a debilitating toothache, one of the first things you should do is seek professional care. You might book an appointment with your general dentist. But what if you need root canal therapy and your dentist tells you that you should see an endodontist instead? Do not be disappointed. Instead, you can be happy because your dentist has your best interests at heart. Why is root canal therapy best performed by an endodontist instead of a general dentist? This blog post explains.
What Is an Endodontist?
It is important to note that an endodontist is a dentist; they completed dental school and have a well-rounded knowledge of how to care for patients’ oral health. However, after dental school, they went on to complete two or three years of additional, specialized training. They are therefore intimately familiar with how to treat the interior portion of a tooth, its pulp. Root canal therapy deals directly with dental pulp and is one of the procedures that endodontists perform most often.
Why Visit an Endodontist?
Some general dentists perform root canal therapy, and it might seem like an inconvenience to go to a specialist for this procedure. However, there are good reasons why you should entrust your care to an endodontist:
Experience
A general dentist may occasionally perform root canal therapy. An endodontist, on the other hand, may perform this procedure dozens of times each week. They have seen a broad range of cases, so they can anticipate potential complications and take steps to avoid them.
Technology
Endodontists often invest in advanced technology that you might not find in a general dentistry practice. For example, they usually have a CBCT scanner (also called a cone beam scanner) that can give them a highly detailed view of what is going on inside your tooth. They may also use a surgical microscope to help them see all the nooks and crannies inside your tooth during your procedure.
Efficiency
The vast experience and expertise of endodontists enables them to perform root canal therapy quite quickly without compromising the quality of the care they provide. You can expect your appointment to be shorter than it would be if you visited a general dentist for the same service.
Availability
Just because endodontists are specialists, that does not mean you will have to wait days or weeks for your appointment. Often, they are able to accept emergency cases on a same-day basis. They want to help you get out of pain as quickly as possible!
Really, if you need root canal therapy, there is no reason not to visit an endodontist!
Meet the Practice
JC Endodontics is home to a highly talented team of endodontists, all of whom are eager to help New Yorkers find freedom from painful toothaches, avoid tooth extractions, and experience the other benefits of successful root canal therapy. If you believe you need our services, or you have questions about our practice, get in touch with us at 212-737-6112.