Training and focus
An endodontist completes four years of dental school and then two to three more years of training in endodontics. This field centers on the dental pulp, the soft tissue inside the tooth that holds connective tissue, blood vessels and nerves.
When a tooth is badly decayed or injured, bacteria can reach the pulp and cause an infection and pain. An endodontist is skilled at finding where the pain comes from and treating the pulp in order to keep the tooth.
Endodontist or general dentist?
Every endodontist is a dentist, but few dentists are endodontists. Because they concentrate on the inside of the tooth, endodontists perform many more root canals. The American Association of Endodontists estimates about 25 per week for an average endodontist, compared with about two for an average general dentist. They also tend to have more experience with hard-to-diagnose tooth and facial pain.
Many general dentists also perform root canals as part of routine care. If your case is more complex, we will let you know.
What an endodontist treats
- Infected pulp, treated with a root canal. Tools such as 3D imaging and microscopes help find and clear the infection before the tooth is sealed.
- Retreatment, when a tooth that had a root canal still hurts or decays again.
- Root-end surgery (apicoectomy), which removes an infected or abscessed tip of the root.
- Dental injuries and cracked teeth, where the goal is to save the tooth.
- Tooth replacement planning, when a natural tooth cannot be saved, since a natural tooth is always the best option.
When to see one
- Your dentist has referred you to an endodontist
- You have severe tooth pain or a traumatic tooth injury
- You have new pain in a tooth that already had a root canal
If you follow a referral, make the consultation. It often means the case needs more specialized care.
Not sure who should look at your tooth? Call us at (781) 289-3331 and we will point you in the right direction.
Common questions
How common are root canals?
Very. They are one of the main ways dentists stop infection and protect nearby teeth from damage.
Does an endodontist do more root canals than a dentist?
Generally yes. Endodontists focus on this treatment, so they perform far more of them than a typical general dentist.
How can I learn more about endodontics?
The American Association of Endodontists, the professional organization for the field, has educational videos and patient information on its website.
Are root canal treatments painful?
They are meant to relieve toothache caused by inflamed or infected pulp. With today's pain management, most patients feel little discomfort during treatment.