When patients visit our office to get a root canal, most learn the term “endodontist” for the first time. Oral surgeons and orthodontists are dental specialists that are well-known to most people; however, this is not the same for an endodontist or root canal specialist in New Smyrna Beach, FL.
Root canal specialist is a layman’s term for an endodontist. They are dental experts who have finished at least ten years of college education, including two more years of advanced endodontic training and study beyond a four-year dental school.
A hospital- or university-based program approved by the American Dental Association provides an additional two or more years of specialty postgraduate study. The diagnosis of diseases and situations that require root canal treatments is emphasized in endodontic training. Likewise, most of an endodontist’s time is spent doing root canals, particularly those involving restricted canals or anatomically unusual situations.
Root canal therapy is the most common reason why people get the services of an endodontist. Although some general dentists know how to perform root canal procedures, they only complete two root canals each week compared to 25 for the average endodontist. Given how frequently endodontists do root canal procedures, they have the expertise, experience, and understanding necessary to handle complex cases and deliver successful endodontic treatments. Moreover, you’ll need to see a root canal specialist if you have already undergone root canal therapy and it becomes reinfected or needs additional treatment.
The root of a terrible toothache is frequently clear-cut and straightforward to identify. When your general dentist cannot remember the source of your dental pain, they may suggest you go to an endodontist for a diagnosis and treatment.
Although general dentists provide various services, their main priority is treating the tooth’s crown, which is the area above the gum line. A root canal specialist is skilled in identifying and treating conditions that arise within the tooth.
If your general dentist refers you to a root canal specialist, the process is more straightforward than it sounds. Your first visit typically starts with a review of your dental history and any X-rays your dentist has already taken, followed by additional imaging if the endodontist needs a closer look at the tooth’s root structure.
Because root canal specialists in New Smyrna Beach, FL, work with complex cases every day, they’re equipped to identify issues such as calcified canals or unusual root anatomy that a general dentist might not routinely encounter.
In most cases, yes; your general dentist will refer you if they determine your case calls for a specialist’s expertise, whether that’s due to canal complexity, a previous root canal that didn’t fully resolve, or persistent pain with an unclear cause.
That said, some patients choose to see a root canal specialist directly, particularly if they’ve had a difficult root canal experience in the past and want the added expertise from the start.
The procedure itself follows the same basic steps as a standard root canal, but a specialist typically has access to more advanced tools, such as operating microscopes and 3D imaging, that help them navigate complex canal systems with greater precision. For most patients, this means a smoother procedure and a stronger long-term outcome, especially for teeth that have already been treated once and need additional care.
Our staff and dental professionals at Atlantic Family Dentistry make a special effort to give patients a secure and comfortable atmosphere. We also specialize in addressing problems that concern complex dental pain. Give us a call! We’d like to hear from you!