When it comes to dental care, it can be difficult to know who to turn to for the best treatment. Should you see a dentist or an endodontist? It's important to understand the differences between the two so you can make an informed decision. Endodontists are dentists who have completed two or more years of additional training in diagnosing and treating tooth pain. They specialize in root canal treatments and perform up to 25 of these procedures per week, while general dentists usually do two.
Endodontists don't place fillings or clean teeth, but instead focus exclusively on dental pulp treatments. The types of equipment that an endodontist uses in his practice are usually at a higher level than that of a general dentist. As a result, they may charge more than a general dentist to perform a procedure. However, many dentists refer their patients to an endodontist, and while it is important to choose the provider who will perform the therapy, the endodontist and dentists are also trained to perform root canal treatments, and the good news is that they offer a cheaper service than visiting an endodontist.
Your dentist can give you the best care for regular cleanings, but you should choose an endodontist for root canal treatments. Your dentist wants you to receive the best treatment, so you often work with an endodontist you know and trust. Seeing the right person, whether it's your dentist or endodontist, can ensure you get the right treatment and recover quickly. As noted above, endodontists have dental training, but focus on internal dental problems. So, if you need cleanings, regular check-ups, or need treatments for the outside of your teeth, your dentist is likely to be the best option for your care.
Both dental professionals go to dental school, but endodontists attend two or more additional years for specialized training. According to the American Association of Endodontists (AAE), while all endodontists are dentists, less than three percent of dentists are endodontists. Endodontists have completed 2-3 additional training beyond normal dental school with advanced education in pain diagnosis and increased proficiency in root canal treatment and apical surgery. When you compare an endodontist to a dentist based on the procedures they perform, it can be helpful to understand your treatment options. As a result, endodontists have completed more supervised training related to their specialty of diagnosing tooth pain and performing root canal therapy. Unlike dentists, endodontists limit their practice to treating dental pulp and root canal systems. Therefore, it is essential to understand the differences between dentists and endodontists to make the best decision for your needs.
My dentist has offered me the option of doing it in a few days or waiting 3 weeks to see a specialist endodontist. The options for who to treat you depend on the type of care your teeth need.
