5 Major Differences between an Endodontist and a General Dentist

5 Major Differences between an Endodontist 

and a General Dentist

Dentistry is a vast field with many sub-branches in it. It has its branches and specialists. The general dentist will take care of most of your dentistry need but may refer you to a specialist if the problem requires special attention. Some common ones that you might have heard of may include a pediatric dentist who takes care of the oral health of children or an orthodontist, who has received specialized training in dealing with the irregularities in teeth. A periodontist specializes in taking care of the gum while an endodontist has thorough training in root canal therapy.

The general dentist and endodontist work together on patients who need root canal therapy. They treat different dental tissues. This article focuses on the differences between a general doctor and endodontist. Read on to know why you might have to go to one or the other, and what the basic differences between them are.

1.     Extensive Training

The general dentists are trained to provide the basic dental care to people of all ages. They help to prevent and identify various oral problems and diseases. They have the patient's teeth cleaned and prepare the tooth for root canals and may even provide follow up work after the therapy. A part of their job is to make sure that the patient receives general education on oral care and hygiene, along with fitting patients for crowns and bridges whereas the endodontist studies a couple of extra years to be specially trained.

2.     Comprehensive Oral Care

The endodontist, on the other hand, has extensive knowledge of the dental nerves and the pulp of your teeth. They perform therapies that include Root Canal Therapy, Root Canal Re-Treatment and Endodontic Surgery or an Apicoectomy.

3.     Experience and Efficiency

The main difference between these two is between the experience and efficiency. Because endodontists receive specialized training in dealing with all things related to the pulp of your teeth, they have a lot more experience in this area than a general dentist. And this means that they are more adept at dealing with problems that occur along the way. It also means that they are capable of doing the task efficiently as they have a lot of experience.

4.     Technology

The general doctor may not have the specialized technology that the endodontist has. That's because they do not get to deal with complicated issues every day. That is not the case with endodontists as they employ operating microscopes and digital imaging, along with another state of the art technology. These also include ultrasonic instrumentation and fiber optics so that the process is quick and comfortable for the patients.

5.     Saving Teeth

The main goal of the endodontist is to save the teeth. A root canal is a very complex procedure that aims to get rid of the bacteria inside a dead tooth so that the infection does not spread. The only other alternative to the process is pulling the tooth out, which most people want to avoid. With their experience and thorough knowledge, they are the appropriate choice when it comes to saving your teeth.

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Hillcrest Cosmetic and Family Dentistry or call (864) 963-1653 today for an appointment.