Going to the dentist for a checkup and cleaning every six months is one of the most effective ways to make sure your teeth are healthy, and your smile is bright. During those regular visits, your dentist might recommend that you see an endodontist for specialized procedures such as a root canal. Following your dentist’s professional advice is a good idea. But you might wonder what is the difference between an endodontist vs. a dentist? Fortunately, Greenwood Dental can walk you through the process.
Difference Between An Endodontist Vs. A Dentist
There are many similarities between a dentist and an endodontist. All endodontists are dentists. However, fewer than three percent of dentists are also endodontists. As a specialist, an endodontist has completed at least two additional years of training beyond that required for dental school.
Thus, the major difference between an endodontist vs. a dentist is the additional training given to endodontists. During their additional training, an endodontist focuses on diagnosing tooth pain, treatment for root canals, and procedures related to the tooth’s interior. The goal of an endodontist is to save teeth. In many cases, this specialist can do so.
Benefits You’ll Experience by Seeing an Endodontist
You might wonder if you should opt for a dentist or an endodontist when deciding who should care for your teeth. There are several benefits to scheduling appointments or consultations with an endodontist. For instance, patients can expect the following:
- Advanced Education: Not just any dentist can call themselves an endodontist. To do so, they must complete another two or three more years of additional coursework. This must be done after the dentist has completed four years of dental school.
- Specialized Expertise: Because they are specialists, an endodontist focuses their efforts solely on matters about the interior of the tooth, including the dental pulp. While general dentists complete an average of about two root canals per week, an endodontist does about 25 on average each week. As specialists, endodontists can find the cause of facial and oral pain that has previously been difficult to address.
- Pain Management Experts: For many patients, the possibility of pain is enough to make them reconsider a necessary treatment. Like all dentists, an endodontist works diligently to ensure that you are free from pain during any procedure. Using specialized techniques, an endodontist can address challenging pain management issues such as those patients who have a hard time either getting numb, staying numb, or both. An endodontist will also ensure that patients are free of pain after their procedure during the healing process.
Implement Cutting-Edge Technology
The implementation of cutting-edge technology during every procedure is something that an endodontist specializes in. With a focus on both your comfort and the success of the procedure, this type of dentist implements technology such as 3D imaging, and digital radiographs.
By doing so, the endodontists can obtain detailed images of even the smallest tooth details. This enables the dentist to formulate the best treatment plan and approach to address the dental issues you have. When performing a procedure, such as a root canal, an endodontist uses state-of-the-art equipment such as dental operating microscopes to provide them with the ability to see better.
Tooth pain, injuries to a tooth, or tooth sensitivity are all potential reasons for visiting an endodontist. They aim to save your natural teeth and provide you with a pain-free experience.
Learn The Difference Between Endodontist Vs. Dentist at Greenwood Dental
Greenwood Dental provides comprehensive dental services to patients in Lake County, IL. This includes endodontics restorative dentistry that addresses and treats abnormalities and injuries of the tooth’s pulp and root. Also, we offer numerous general and cosmetic dentistry procedures, such as:
So Learn more about how we can help you become pain-free by calling us today at 855.528.3961 to schedule an appointment.
