While general dentists can provide patients with a variety of invaluable treatments to help preserve the health and beauty of their smiles, in some cases, patients are better off seeing a specialist such as an endodontist.
General dentists and endodontists are both dental care professionals with a few overlapping practice areas, but they treat different dental issues. According to the American Association of Endodontists, while all endodontists are dentists, less than three percent of dentists go on to become endodontists.
What Makes Endodontists Different?
Endodontists are specialists because they’ve completed two or more additional years of specialized training after completing four years of dental school. The additional training endodontists receive focuses on performing root canal treatments and other procedures relating to the interior of the tooth and the tooth pulp. The word endodontist comes from the Greek terms “endo,” meaning “within,” and “odont,” meaning “tooth.”
Why See an Endodontist?
When it comes to root canals, there are many situations where a general dentist is fully capable of performing the procedure – but there are also times when a dentist may recommend you visit an endodontist instead. As root canal specialists, endodontists are better prepared to handle more complex cases. Endodontists are up to date on the latest techniques and have the newest technology to ensure that root canals go smoothly and are as painless as possible.
In addition to providing root canal therapy, endodontists can perform surgery to fix a tooth that did not completely heal after a root canal. They can also complete apicoectomies, which are surgeries that extract the tip of a tooth’s roots. While endodontists typically provide treatments that address infection and severe decay, they can also save teeth that have been cracked or damaged by injury.
Schedule a Visit Today
At Saratoga Family Dentistry, we provide a variety of dental services including endodontics and teeth restoration services. Our experienced team can perform root canals, restore individual teeth, restore multiple teeth, and complete a full mouth reconstruction if needed. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule a visit.
