General dentist (GP) vs Endodontist
General dentist (GP) vs Endodontist
Endodontics is the science that studies periradicular and pulpal diseases. It’s a very important branch of dentistry that focuses its attention in these areas:
Morphology, physiology and pathology of the human dental pulp and periradicular
tissues.
This discipline deals with different procedures and its divided in many categories. As the technology and the science advances in discovering more materials that will facilitate endodontic procedures, the basis of root canal therapy remain the same. Including here root canal irritants, obturation of the canals system etc. Clinical treatment of endodontics remains integrated closely to other dental disciplines. A dental student should have basic background in oral anatomy, infection healing and repair, systemic disease, pharmacology, medical emergencies in a dental office, pain control through pharmaceutical drugs and anesthesia etc. So in order for someone to be in able to comprehend endodontics, one should be knowledgeable in basic dentistry. Endodontic procedures include uncomplicated and complicated cases. These are two procedures that can be completed by either a general dental practitioner (GP) or an endodontist specialist.
What is the difference between a GP and an endodontist ?
Every dentist, General practitioner dentist included should be in able to perform an easy root canal procedure
(i.e root canal on anterior teeth this is considered an uncomplicated root canal). But as I mentioned earlier there are many different types of complicated root canal procedures (i.e Root canal on posterior teeth, especially first and second molars). These types of complicated procedures as well as other challenging diagnoses are always preferred to be done by the endodontist specialist. A general practitioner (GP) has to accurately diagnose the pulpal situation of the clients tooth and evaluate his level of competency in performing complicated endo procedures. If the (GP) possesses less competency level of skill then he MUST refer the client to the endodontist specialist for further investigation towards a successful treatment.
