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Need a Root Canal? See a Endodontist, Not a General Dentist

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Root canals are perhaps one of the most dreaded procedures a dental patient can undergo, but they don't have to be a bad experience. If you've learned that you need a root canal, you should consider seeing an endodontist for the procedure instead of your regular dentist. Read on to learn what makes endodontists special and why you might prefer getting a root canal from one of them instead.

Why You Want to See an Endodontist

In the same way that orthodontists specialize in aligning teeth with braces, endodontists specialize in performing oral surgeries. Surveys have shown that most dental patients who have had the pleasure of being treated by an endodontist prefer having their dental surgeries performed by an endodontist. In addition, endodontists tend to experience far more root canals than a general dentist does, with up to 25 root canals being performed per week by endodontists while standard dentists may only perform a handful.

What Sets Endodontists Apart

Endodontists are dentists, but they receive more training than standard general dentists. After they complete all of their schooling and on-job training for general dentistry, they continue to put an additional two years worth into their schooling to prepare to perform dental surgeries. While all dentists have training in surgery, endodontists are the specialists you want to be performing complex procedures on your mouth that require sedation, which includes root canals.

What to Expect

If you already know that you need to have a root canal or another surgery performed, you won't be able to go to an endodontist and have it immediately taken care of. Your endodontist will want to meet with you first to discuss your needs, expectations, and to review your medical history. They may want to have a set of x-rays taken to analyze your mouth in detail, as well.

After you and your endodontist have met, they will set up a second appointment for you to perform the root canal. From this point forward, you can expect your procedure to go as one would expect: you will either be put under general anesthesia or have local anesthesia, depending on what your endodontist deems necessary. They will then perform the surgery, working to remove the diseased or damaged parts of the root and pulp of the tooth. Lastly, if possible, they'll put the tooth back in place, restoring your smile. Since endodontists have plenty of experience under their belts, you can expect the procedure to go smoothly and quickly.

Even if you like your current dentist, there's nothing wrong with wanting to see an expert for your oral surgery. Doing so will ensure that you have a good experience with a well-trained professional that's performed your procedure many times before. Contact clinics like Renovo Endodontic Studio to learn more about what you can expect during a root canal.


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