When it comes to root canal treatment, an endodontist has more experience and expertise than a dentist. Endodontists have dental training, but they specialize in internal problems of the teeth. They spend two or three more years receiving specialized training in endodontics and perform an average of 25 endodontic treatments per week. This makes them better suited for root canal therapy than general dentists.
Your options for who to treat you depend on the type of care your teeth need. If you need regular cleanings, checkups, or treatments for the outside of your teeth, your dentist is probably the best choice for your care. However, if you need surgery on the inside of the tooth or root canal therapy, an endodontist is the right choice. Advances in technology have made it easier for endodontists to clean the complex anatomy of the root canal.
There is now a treatment option that also offers a better endodontic experience to patients. When dental problems affect the root or pulp, it's good to have a specialist with extensive training and experience. Ideally, your dentist and endodontist work together to address problematic dental problems and preserve your long-term dental health. Alternatively, endodontists are specifically trained to find, diagnose and treat the cause of dental pain.
If you need endodontics or endodontic surgery, your dentist has the option of referring you to an endodontist or a dental specialist who takes care of the inside of your teeth.
