Sometimes it is better to see a specialist, or at least someone who has a limited practice to endodontics. This person has the knowledge and capabilities needed to give you the best care that you deserve. I am not a specialist. I am a general dentist who has limited my practice to endodontics. This doesn’t mean that I am not capable or skilled enough to handle complicated procedures. It only means that I have not formally attended a residency program. I have continued my education on my own, and have the technology that is “cutting edge”, and practice well within the guidelines of professional ethics and uphold the level or “standards” set by the dental community. It is not my place to say that I am better at what I do than a specialist, but I can say that I am no worse, technically and clinically speaking. As far as your general dentist treating you, I feel confident in saying that he or she would not tackle anything they were uncomfortable doing. If you are confident in his/her abilities, then most probably you will receive quality treatment in the case of your endodontic therapy. By the same token, if you are more confident in the abilities of a person because he/she is a specialist, then you should seek treatment where you are most confident. It is really a matter of preference by you the patient.

• Why do I need endodontic therapy (root canal therapy)?
• What is a root canal anyway?
• Would you be more specific?
• How long does it take?
• Is the procedure painful?
• How come my regular dentist won’t do my root canal?
• Am I finished after the root canal? Do I need to have anything else done to my tooth?
• I had several crowns done in the past, how come I never had a root canal with those teeth?
• How long should I wait before having the buildup and crown done?
• Is it possible to not know that you need endodontic therapy?
• What is the difference between a regular dentist, and a specialist?
• What are some of the complications that could arise during treatment?
• Root canals don’t work on me! I’ve had several; and every time I end up getting the tooth pulled!
• My dentist said I needed to have a tooth I already had a root canal done on, treated again. Why?
• I had endodontic therapy done 10 years ago. Last week I had another tooth treated, and the procedure seemed very different. Which one is better?