While many people go to endodontists, dentists who specialize in root canals, for root canal treatment, there are many skilled general dentists that also offer root canals. At Auburn Dental Group you can get a root canal done by a general dentist who has both the training and experience required to perform a successful root canal. But why are there general dentists that offer root canals if endodontists offer them as well? Let’s have a look.
- More availability – Since endodontists specialize in root canals they can often be booked out for weeks in advance since they are getting patients referred from all over. This is especially problematic in the case of a patient that needs a root canal since the patient is often in pain while waiting for treatment. A general dentist may have more availability and emergency dental appointments, enabling them to see root canal patients sooner.
- Get root canal and crown in same place – Since a general dentist knows how to make an excellent dental crown, they can provide you with that service as well once the root canal treatment is done. This means the treatment is more cohesive under a unified vision from beginning to end of treatment. This is in contrast to going to an endodontist where the root canal and crown are done by separate people.
- Getting a root canal in-network – Some people may find that the endodontist they are referred to is out of network with their insurance. In situations such as these the patient may opt to go to a general dentist to get a root canal instead if they are in network with their insurance.
- Closer to home – Dental specialists may not always have their dental offices in convenient locations. Some patients might find that the endodontist they were referred to is half an hour away. Meanwhile there is local dentist in Auburn doing root canals only minutes away.
Despite their additional training and expertise, a general dentist doing root canals will sometimes be confronted with a complex case. In situations like these it’s best to see an endodontist even if it’s a long drive or if they are out of network, since they are the only ones that would be able to perform this essential procedure.
If you live in Auburn and need a root canal, we encourage you to call our dental office or book an appointment online. Our dentist would be happy to get you in and put an end to the infection and pain.