Absolutely not! General dentists are skilled in performing root canal therapy and have the tools and training required for successfully completing most procedures. But there are some situations when even dentists who routinely perform root canals will refer their patients to an endodontist.
Can a DMD do root canals?
Absolutely not! General dentists are skilled in performing root canal therapy and have the tools and training required for successfully completing most procedures. But there are some situations when even dentists who routinely perform root canals will refer their patients to an endodontist.
What is an endodontist vs dentist?
Endodontists and general dentists both provide dental care but do different things. An endodontist is a specialist who focuses on performing root canals . While a dentist does multiple things, such as cleaning teeth, filling cavities and placing sealants, endodontists do one thing — treat tooth pain.
What is a DMD endodontist?
Endodontists are dentists who specialize in tooth pain, disease, and infection . They have extra training that helps them diagnose and treat tooth pain and perform root canals, a special procedure designed to save an infected or decayed tooth.
Why would my dentist send me to an endodontist?
Why Would a Dentist Refer You to an Endodontist? If the infected tooth has a complex root canal system —which is frequently an issue with multi-rooted teeth like molars or premolars—dentists may refer their patient to an endodontist.
Why you should never get a root canal?
Root canals are performed when bacteria, introduced through a cavity or crack, compromise the nerves located inside the tooth. The bacteria cause an infection, which eventually kills the nerves. But root canals can be avoided, Teitelbaum says, in cases where the nerves are not yet infected .
Can I go straight to an endodontist?
If a tooth that was treated by an endodontist develops further problems, then you can go directly to the specialist . The endodontist can examine the tooth and review the work you had done at their office. They may find that your root canal was ineffective or that you developed a new condition.
Who performs root canals?
Root canal therapy requires one or more office visits and can be performed by a dentist or endodontist . An endodontist is a dentist who specializes in the causes, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and injuries of the teeth’s dental pulp.
Are root canals painful?
No, root canals are usually painless because dentists now use local anesthesia before the procedure to numb the tooth and its surrounding areas. So, you should feel no pain at all during the procedure. However, mild pain and discomfort are normal for a few days after a root canal is conducted.
Do endodontists do crowns?
The endodontist will open the crown (top) of the tooth and remove the pulp . They will then clean, reshape, and enlarge the root canal — the pathway from the pulp to your jawbone — using small files. They may also apply medicine to the area to stop an infection.
What does an endodontist do besides root canals?
In addition to providing root canal therapy, endodontists can perform surgery to fix a tooth that didn’ t completely heal after a root canal. They can also perform apicoectomies, which are surgeries that extract the tip of a tooth’s roots.
When do you refer to an endodontist?
If you’re experiencing tooth pain , have injured your tooth, it’s sensitive to hot or cold, and/or there is swelling around the teeth, gums or your face, make an appointment with an endodontist or pay a visit to your dentist, first.
What hurts more extraction or root canal?
Certain patients may find root canals to be more painful, while others report experiencing more pain after a tooth extraction. In either case, painkillers are usually advised by the dentist to treat any type of minor discomfort or pain experienced after the procedure is complete.
What is the downside to a root canal?
While root canals are pretty common, there are some drawbacks to having this procedure done. One of those drawbacks is that it might weaken the tooth . Dentists have to drill through the tooth in order to get to the pulp, and additional decay might have to be removed.
Is it better to pull a tooth or get a root canal?
Keeping a tooth is the better option . Proper root canal treatment will save a tooth, and with good dental hygiene, it should last a lifetime, without the need for further treatment. With the original tooth, the line of your jaw stays firm, your teeth are healthy, and you will need fewer visits to the dentist.
Do dentists lie about cavities?
A cavity is a cavity and there should be no difference between two dentists, right? The answer is not always . Unfortunately, a cavity can be deceptive. It can hide and be obscured by old fillings, location, or just not be obvious by eye or X-ray.
