Endodontists are dentists who specialize in tooth pain, disease, and infection. They have extra training that helps them diagnose and treat tooth pain and perform root canals, a special procedure designed to save an infected or decayed tooth.
What Does an Endodontist Do?
Endodontists treat problems involving the inside of the tooth, an area known as the “tooth pulp.” It has blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue. It can get inflamed or infected because of deep tooth decay, traumatic injury to a tooth, and repeated dental work on a tooth. When that happens, an endodontist is the specialist to see.
The most common procedure endodontists perform is a root canal, a procedure in which they remove the tooth’s nerve and tooth pulp that has become damaged or infected. If left alone, the pulp will become inflamed and painful, and ultimately, the tooth will die.
Dentists, too, can perform root canals, but an endodontist has a lot more experience with the procedure.
Dentist vs. endodontist: What is the difference?
Both dentists and endodontists care for teeth, but an endodontist specializes in tooth pain diagnosis and treatment and performs a high volume of root canals. Dentists provide more general tooth care, such as teeth cleaning and filling cavities. Endodontists also have two or more years of training after dental school to study dental pulp diseases.
Periodontist vs. endodontist: What is the difference?
While an endodontist specializes in managing tooth pain, periodontists focus on preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions involving your gums and bones that support your teeth (gum disease). Periodontists also place dental implants.
Education and Training
Endodontists are dentists who have had two or three more years of training beyond dental school. They also study and receive a Master of Science in Dentistry. During their specialty training, endodontic students focus on diagnosing and treating tooth pain.
This process involves completing:
- Four years in dental school
- Two to three years in a postgraduate residency program
- An exam to become certified by the American Board of Endodontics (optional)
Reasons to See an Endodontist
Your general dentist may refer you to an endodontist for a few common reasons:
Tooth pain and sensitivity to heat and cold.
Bacterial infection. Bacteria can get into the pulp of a tooth through small openings created by tooth decay or injury. Inflammation or a bacterial infection of the pulp is the most common reason people see an endodontist.
Tooth injury. If your tooth gets dislodged from its socket or totally knocked out, an endodontist can place the tooth back in the socket, stabilize it, and then perform a root canal on it.
Chipped or fractured tooth. You may need a root canal if a large section of a tooth is missing, exposing the pulp to bacteria.
What to Expect at the Endodontist
If you see an endodontist, you are most likely there to get a root canal. It can be helpful to know what to expect during your visit.
Before the root canal begins, you will be given a local anesthetic — medicine to numb that part of your mouth so that you won’t feel any pain during the procedure. A dental dam will be placed around the tooth. The endodontist will open the crown (top) of the tooth and remove the pulp. They will then clean, reshape, and enlarge the root canal (the pathway from the pulp to your jawbone) using small files. They may also apply medicine to the area to stop an infection.
The endodontist fills the root canal with a rubber-like substance that acts as a bandage. Usually, they fill the tooth opening with a temporary or permanent filling. After the procedure, you will typically feel mild pain. Over-the-counter pain relievers should help. You will return to the general dentist within a few weeks to have them remove the temporary filling and fit you with a permanentcrown.
Endodontist FAQs
How can I find endodontists near me?
To find an endodontist office nearby, you can search on the American Association of Endodontists website, check the website of your health insurance provider, or ask your dentist for a referral. You can also check online reviews and board certifications of local endodontists.
How much does an endodontist make?
According to the American Dental Association, the average annual net income for endodontists is about $327,521.
Does an endodontist pull teeth?
Yes, endodontists can pull or remove teeth (also known as tooth extraction). They may do so if saving the tooth is not possible due to severe damage.