Who Can Become an Endodontist

Endodontists are dental specialists who focus on root canal treatment, diagnosing tooth pain, and other procedures involving the tooth’s interior. In addition to completing dental school, endodontists must undergo at least two years of specialist training. This advanced education allows them to preserve teeth that might otherwise be lost. Altogether, endodontists complete six to seven years of postgraduate schooling, focusing on diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases of the dental pulp. This training also makes them highly skilled in pain management and using cutting-edge technologies.

Endodontists vs. Dentists

Although all endodontists must finish dental school, not all dentists train in endodontics. While every endodontist is a dentist, very few general dentists are trained as endodontists. Endodontists perform an average of 25 root canals per week—far more than a general dentist’s typical two—which makes them more experienced in root canal procedures. Because they specialize in diagnosing and treating tooth pain, endodontists also excel at resolving complex oral and facial pain issues.

What Endodontists Do

“Endo” means inside and “odont” means tooth. Endodontic treatments involve any procedures that address the tooth’s pulp (interior). These specialists focus on saving teeth through treatments like root canals and endodontic retreatment. Root canal treatment removes infected or inflamed pulp to relieve pain and save the tooth. If a treated tooth becomes reinfected, endodontic retreatment reopens the tooth, cleans out infection, and places a temporary filling until final restoration.

Severe Endodontic Treatments

• Endodontists also handle more complex procedures such as endodontic surgery and dental implant placement, often needed when initial root canal treatment is not feasible or fails.
• Endodontic surgery can locate hidden fractures or root canals, remove calcium deposits, and treat damaged surfaces before placing a crown.
• If a tooth cannot be saved, endodontists guide patients through extraction and dental implant placement, which replaces the missing tooth with a stable, natural-looking solution.

When to See an Endodontist

Patients often fear seeing an endodontist, but early intervention is crucial. Address tooth pain or temperature sensitivity as soon as it arises. More severe cases—such as facial trauma or swelling around the teeth and gums—require immediate attention. Delaying treatment can worsen the issue and reduce the chances of saving the tooth.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: Are root canal treatments painful? A: Thanks to modern technology and anesthetics, root canal treatments are typically no more uncomfortable than a standard filling. Our team addresses all questions and concerns beforehand to ease dental anxiety.
• Q: Can a root canal treat a cracked tooth? A: It depends on the crack’s location and severity. Root canals are usually reserved for cracks that extend into the pulp. Less severe cracks may be treated with bonding, crowns, or other restorative options.
• Q: My tooth doesn’t hurt—do I still need a root canal? A: Not all teeth needing root canals cause pain. Infections can be asymptomatic. Routine X-rays and clinical exams often reveal infections that haven’t yet caused noticeable symptoms.
• Q: What happens after root canal treatment? A: Your endodontist will send treatment records and X-rays to your restorative dentist. You’ll return for a final restoration (crown or filling) within a few weeks to fully restore the tooth.
• Q: Why is tooth extraction a last resort? A: Preserving natural teeth is always preferable. While dental implants are reliable, they don’t match the success rate of saving a natural tooth, since the original tooth has the best integration with the jaw.

Endodontic Terminology

• Cementum: Bone-like tissue that forms the outer surface of the tooth root.
• Dental Pulp: Inner layer of the tooth containing connective tissue, blood vessels, and nerves.
• Dentin: Hard tissue beneath enamel surrounding the pulp.
• Direct Pulp Cap: A treatment for exposed pulp using a therapeutic material to promote healing.
• Enamel: Hard, calcified outer layer covering the tooth.
• Endodontist: A dental specialist focusing on diseases and injuries of the dental pulp.
• Pulpectomy: Complete removal of pulp tissue from the root canal.
• Pulpitis: Inflammation of the dental pulp due to injury or infection.
• Pulpotomy: Removal of diseased pulp to protect healthy tissue in the tooth.