Community Highlights: Meet Annie Jones of Endodontic Associates

Today we’d like to introduce you to Annie Jones.

Annie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up just north of Nashville when our city was mostly just known as the “Country Music Capital of the World”. Nashville certainly wasn’t the “It City” it is today, but it was still an easy place in which to grow up, full of southern hospitality, great music, and plenty of charm. Both of my parents practiced general dentistry in Nashville, my father practicing on his own, and my mother practicing with her father, also a dentist. When it came to choosing a career, dentistry was a natural fit. After I graduated from the University of Tennessee Dental School, I was excited to start practicing dentistry back in my hometown.

A few years passed and I found myself interested in furthering my education. I wanted to go back to school to specialize in root canal treatment, also known as endodontics. After two years at the University of Louisville, I came back to Nashville to join Endodontic Associates. I previously worked with this group when I was a general dentist and knew they had the integrity I was looking for when joining a practice. I have been with Endodontic Associates for 8 years and I am constantly asked “What makes you want to do root canals all day?”

Root canals seem scary to most people. New patients think of the procedure as painful, but they are often surprised to learn that the actual root canal itself should be pain-free. Once the patient is anesthetized, they are able to relax a bit. It is rewarding to help someone overcome the fear of getting a root canal by alleviating their pain and allowing them to leave with relief. Most root canals last about an hour and when we are done, my patients tell me, “That wasn’t that bad.” That reaction makes me love my job.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I practiced general dentistry for a few years before I realized that I wanted to further my education and specialize in root canal treatment, but that would mean I wouldn’t be finishing my specialty training until I was 32 years old. I already spent most of my early twenties in college and dental school, so why was I electing to start my thirties doing a residency?

I had plenty of reasons not to go back to school, including moving away from friends and family. I would have to put my Nashville life on hold. As it turns out, you can still do life while you are in school. My co-residents and I continued to experience weddings, babies, and life in general.

We watched the world unfold just as it would had we not been in school. I am grateful that my transition back to Nashville life was not as hard as I imagined it would be and I don’t think I missed a beat.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Endodontic Associates?
Endodontic Associates has been a part of the Nashville community since 1964. We are an eight-doctor endodontic practice that focuses specifically on root canal treatment and retreatment. We provide the latest advancements in endodontics including the Sonendo GentleWave procedure and Cone Beam CT 3-D imagery.

While we started in a little office in Hillsboro Village, we have since transitioned into the Hill Center in Green Hills, while also expanding to two other offices in Cool Springs and Thompson’s Station. Root canals are an emergency procedure, meaning most of our patients need to be seen quickly. As a large group practice, we are able to treat our referred patients in a timely manner instead of waiting days or weeks for treatment.

What’s next?
Next year will be Endodontic Associates’ 60th year serving the Nashville Community. We will be celebrating our diamond jubilee! We are honored to continue developing our long-lasting relationships within the dental community and throughout Nashville.

Contact Info:

• Website:www.nashvilleendo.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/endoassociates/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/endodontic.associates.p.a 

Image Credits
Mallory Brady