Despite a common misconception regarding the nature of endodontic dentistry, it plays an important part in restorative and aesthetic dentistry. Combining endodontics with other disciplines in the dental field can create new solutions for aesthetic concerns.
Understanding Interdisciplinary Endodontics
When patients experience concerns with their teeth, ranging from preventative care to restorative dentistry, they approach their dentist for help. In rare cases, we will suggest extraction and restoration as a primary approach. More often, we’ll find ways to preserve the natural dental tissue and restore aesthetic beauty to the patient’s smile without removing the tooth. Combining a root canal treatment with veneers, for instance, can restore dental integrity and beauty with approaches from two different dental disciplines. There are three things a dentist considers when determining the appropriate treatment:
- The Patient’s Desires and Goals: – Knowing the patient’s goals for their oral health is an important first step. It helps influence their approach to treatment, as well as helps them understand where the patient’s minds at regarding dental care.
- The origins of the patient’s dental state – Understanding the biological, pathological, and sociological conditions that led to the patient’s current state is essential. This ensures that the offered solution is not a patch fix that will just need addressing again down the line.
- What Would The Dentist Want In This Position? – In a ‘doctor as patient’ approach, the dentist will consider what they would want if their positions were reversed. This is done to help create a sense of empathy and to use their greater dental knowledge to consider all the options available.
Using this approach, your dentist can work with you to determine if an interdisciplinary approach is right for your health and concerns.
