This is a very difficult question to answer. As to whether the older or newer technique is

better; well let us just understand they are different. The techniques that evolve over time are a result of years of research and refinement of techniques currently used by some of the dental profession’s top practitioners. As these new techniques evolve, many continue to use the “old way”, because of the resistance to change. I tend to embrace the newer techniques as long as I feel they are beneficial to the patient. I do not necessarily adopt new principles due to time saving factors, because these may not benefit anyone, including me. Saving time today may not mean that you may not return in the future for a retreatment because I was in too focused on how little time it took to treat you in the first place. If you add up the frustration factor, and the time for your initial appointment and the retreatment appointment, how much time have I saved?

To answer the question more directly, they are both probably state of the art for the time in which they were performed, and you have lived to see the inception of newer techniques. Be pleased that you are the recipient of them. After all, they are brought about by our desire to treat you, the patient, more effectively.

• 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?
• Is it better to see a specialist, or let my general dentist treat me?
• 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?