top of page

What is a Endodontist?

An endodontist is a dentist who specializes in maintaining teeth through endodontic therapy and procedures, involving the soft inner tissue of the teeth, called the pulp.  All dentists are trained in diagnosis and endodontic therapy; however, some teeth can be especially difficult to diagnose and treat. That’s why you may have been referred to an endodontic specialist.

​

In addition to dental school, endodontists receive two or more years of advanced education in this kind of treatment. They study root canal techniques and procedures in greater depth for diagnosis and treatment of more difficult cases. 

​

Endodontic Treatment

​

Conventional endodontic treatment, also known as a root canal, is one of the most common dental procedures. This treatment option can save your natural teeth and prevent the need for extraction.

​

A local anesthetic will be given. The treatment consists of three or four basic steps, but the number of visits will depend on each individual case.  Some treatments take 2 visits but many are just a single visit.  Occasionally 3 appointments are needed.

​

Treats Traumatic Injuries

​

Pulp damage is sometimes caused by a blow to the mouth, and endodontists specialize in treating these traumatic injuries. For example, a blow to a child's permanent tooth, not fully developed, can cause the root to stop growing. A procedure called apexification stimulates bone to be deposited at the end of the root which makes it possible to then save the tooth through a root canal procedure. An endodontist is specially trained in procedures for replanting teeth knocked out of their sockets.

​

Will I need to return to your office for additional visits?

​

Once endodontic therapy is completed, your tooth should be examined 6 months after treatment. This allows us to make sure the tooth has healed or is healing properly. We book this appointment for you when you finish treatment.

​

Retreatment

​

Every so often a tooth that has undergone endodontic treatment fails to heal or pain continues despite therapy. Although rare, sometimes a tooth initially responds to root canal therapy but becomes painful or diseased months or years later. When either of these situations occurs, the tooth often can be maintained with a second endodontic treatment.

bottom of page