An endodontist is a dental professional who specializes in root canal treatments. A root canal is a procedure where the nerves and pulp of a tooth are removed, which is usually required if an infection exists and it has spread to these areas of the tooth. Although many dentists perform root canals, some do not. Those who don’t typically perform root canals will refer their patients to an endodontist for treatment. But there are those situations where even a dentist who is experienced in root canals may recommend that a patient visit an endodontist for treatment. What follows are some of those situations.
- Lack of experience: Although many dentists offer root canals as one of the services they provide to their patients, most don’t actually perform root canals very often. If a dentist doesn’t feel comfortable with his or her level of experience with this procedure, the dentist may refer the patient to an endodontist for treatment.
- Complexity: The complexity of a root canal procedure varies from one patient to the next. If a general dentist comes across a patient who requires a complicated root canal, he or she may feel more comfortable referring that patient to an endodontist – even if the dentist has significant experience performing more routine root canals.
- Availability: If a root canal needs to be done right away, as is often the case when the infected tooth is creating a great deal of pain or discomfort for the patient, an endodontist is sometimes recommended. Because these dental professionals focus solely on root canals and not on general dentistry, they are usually more capable of adjusting their schedules to get the patient in right away.
- Technology: Because endodontists specialize in root canal treatment, they are more likely to use the latest state-of-the-art technology specifically designed for this procedure. This might include digital imaging, fiber optics, and/or ultrasonic instrumentation, for example.
- Efficiency: Dental professionals who specialize in one specific area of dentistry – such as endodontists, for example – are typically capable of getting patients in and out relatively quickly. In fact, most root canals performed by endodontists can be completed in a single visit to the office.
Endodontists work hand-in-hand with general dentists to make sure that your root canal procedure will go smoothly, that your affected tooth will be saved, and that you will heal quickly after the procedure is complete. If your dentist refers to you an endodontist for treatment, don’t be alarmed. On the contrary, this type of referral is usually an indication that your dentist wants to provide you with the highest quality service possible – even if it means that someone else will be providing that service.
