When you have a toothache, your first instinct is probably going to be to call your regular dentist. However, if they decide that you need root canal therapy to remove an infection, they are very likely to refer you to an endodontist in Saratoga. While normal dentists have some amount of endodontic training, endodontists specialize in such procedures, and that can make all the difference in the quality of your care. Read on to learn why you should choose an endodontist to save your tooth.
1. Additional Training
All dentists receive endodontic training so that they can perform root canal therapy. However, to become an endodontist, they need to go beyond the bare minimum. After completing dental school, endodontists complete a few additional years of advanced training that improves their ability to diagnose tooth pain and complete complex root canal procedures such as endodontic surgery. You can rest assured that your tooth is in the hands of expert that knows what they’re doing.
2. Experience
As you might expect, specializing in root canal therapy means that endodontists perform the treatment far more often. To put it in perspective, a general dentist typically completes less than two root canals in a week; an endodontist will typically perform 25 root canals in the same timeframe. In other words, by visiting a specialist, you’re entrusting your smile to someone who has plenty of practice completing the treatment in question.
3. Efficiency
Due to getting plenty of practice with the procedure, endodontists tend to be far more efficient and precise when performing root canal therapy. You’ll most likely spend less time in the chair, and you can usually expect your appointment to last roughly an hour or less. Furthermore, there’s a better chance of the treatment being completed in a single visit.
4. Advanced Technology
Endodontists focus on keeping up with the latest technology so that they can always provide high-quality, comfortable care for their patients. For example, many practices employ a surgical microscope that allows the endodontist to closely examine the tooth in great detail. This allows them to spot and treat even highly complex structures that could potentially complicate root canal treatment. Another common endodontic tool is the cone beam CT scanner. This advanced instrument can create a three-dimensional model of your mouth that an endodontist can use to plan complex procedures.
With an endodontist’s expert eye and gentle touch, you don’t have to be nervous about receiving a root canal; you can look forward to a comfortable, relatively quick treatment that will allow you to keep your smile intact for many more years. If you suddenly start experiencing a painful toothache, get in touch with an endodontist near you right away so that you can find relief as soon as possible.
About the Author
Dr. An Nguyen received her endodontics training from the Saint Louis University Center for Advanced Dental Education. She is proud to be able to use her years of experience to help patients from all walks of life stop their dental pain and save their infected teeth. To learn more about her services or to schedule an appointment at her practice, Endodontic Associates of Saratoga, visit her website or call (408) 255-6511.
