While public awareness campaigns in recent years have highlighted the role of endodontists in dental care, the first time many patients see the way that general dentists work with endodontists is when their family dentist makes a referral to one because they need a root canal treatment or a related procedure.
There are several key ways in which general dentists and endodontists work together, and understanding the professional relationship that exists between the two groups of practitioners can help dental consumers better appreciate how their treatment is being delivered.
Ways In Which Dentists And Endodontists Work Together
- Making referrals. General dentists refer the most difficult cases of infected or compromised teeth to endodontists, who are specialists in the speedy resolution of such cases and experts in pain management.
- Consultations. When a general practitioner is delivering treatment, but needs additional insight on how to approach a root canal, he or she will turn to an endodontist, who can advise him or her on the best way to treat the patient.
- Serving as partners in the healing process. Because a patient may only see an endodontist at most a few times, communication between the specialist’s office and a patient’s general provider is crucial. At Phoenix Endodontic Group, referring dentists have full online access to a patient’s records, so he or she will have a convenient way to view treatment results from the endodontist’s office when the patient returns for further oral health evaluations.
“Endodontists rely on general dentists for referrals, crucial steps in the root canal treatment process, and so much more,” says Dr. Allen, who practices with the Phoenix Endodontics Group. We make every effort to make the treatment experience efficient for the practitioner and seamless for the patient.”