Why Am I Being Referred to an Endodontist?

At Downtown Franklin Family Dentistry, we provide a wide range of services to care for your oral health. During routine exams, we check your teeth for signs of decay, the health of your gums, and your bite to ensure your teeth are properly aligned. And we always emphasize the importance of preventative care—the best course of treatment is always being proactive to avoid more invasive procedures later on.

But sometimes even with the best of care, including professional cleanings and an excellent at-home routine of flossing and brushing, your teeth may need a repair such as a root canal and crown. We can do all of this for you—and more—but we may refer you to an endodontist for the root canal.

While general dentists identify problems that require more in-depth care and can perform many procedures that an endodontist does not, it’s not uncommon for patients to see an endodontist for more complicated root canal procedures. (Another common reason we may recommend an endodontist is if we need help diagnosing or treating a complicated case such as a cracked tooth or badly infected pulp tissue.)

Endodontists have completed an additional two or more years of specialized training in diagnosing and treating issues with the tooth’s pulp, the soft tissue inside the tooth that contains blood vessels, nerves, and other connective tissue. They are experts in performing extremely precise treatments such as root canals, apicoectomies, and retreatments. They also may use specialized tools and techniques that are not available at most general dentists’ offices.

Because of endodontists’ expertise in this highly sensitive area of oral health care, we will likely refer you to an endodontist if we determine your issue requires a more specialized treatment than we can provide in our office. This type of referral ensures our patients receive the highest quality care possible for their oral health needs. While it can be intimidating if you need one of these procedures done, rest assured knowing that endodontists are highly trained professionals who understand how to make sure your visit is as safe and comfortable as possible, as well as have the skill and experience to help provide relief from your dental discomfort!

While we hope all our patients don’t experience needing a root canal, it can be quite common. A visit to an endodontist should be a stress-free process that can lead to healthier teeth and less pain. The good news is that this collaborative approach with dental specialists helps preserve your teeth and keep your smile for life!