An endodontist is a dental specialist. While a general dentist provides for a wide variety of dental needs, an endodontist addresses certain specific needs of dental patients. Have you been referred to an endodontist by your dentist? If so, you may be wondering what exactly an endodontist does. Here’s an overview of this dental specialty.
What is an Endodontist?
An endodontist is a dentist who has completed additional education and training in the field of endodontics. Endodontics is a specialization in dentistry that focuses on the health of teeth from the inside.
At the center of each tooth there is a chamber called the root canal. It contains a soft tissue called dental pulp that is made up of blood vessels and nerves that help the tooth develop and remain healthy. The dental pulp is susceptible to infection or damage, which puts the tooth at risk. An endodontist can provide the necessary treatment to save an at-risk tooth in many cases, improving the chances of keeping your natural teeth in place.
How Does a Dentist Become an Endodontist?
An endodontist must first complete the necessary education and training to become a general dentist. This typically includes a Bachelor’s degree followed by a dental degree from an accredited dental school. After someone has become a dentist, they can then complete an additional 2-3 years of education and training in the field of endodontics to earn their certification.
Procedures Provided by an Endodontist
An endodontist typically performs the following procedures:
- Root canal treatment. A procedure that eliminates or prevents infection of the dental pulp by removing it from the tooth and filling the tooth with a bacteria-resistant material.
- Endodontic retreatment. When a root canal fails or the tooth becomes reinfected after a root canal, endodontic retreatment may be the next course of action to save the tooth.
- Endodontic surgery. Some cases require surgical access to the root of the tooth in order to treat and prevent infection. This is sometimes called an apicoectomy.
- Root resorption treatment. Root resorption occurs when the roots of a tooth begin to break down and dissolve. Endodontists provide treatment to stop root resorption and repair the damage.
- Treatment for cracked teeth. A cracked tooth is highly susceptible to infection. An endodontist can provide the necessary treatment to protect the natural tooth.
- Dental trauma treatment. When a tooth is bumped, dislodged, or injured in any way it can cause internal damage that an endodontist is trained to treat.
- Pulpotomy. A pulpotomy is similar to a root canal, but it is typically performed on baby teeth. Instead of removing all of the dental pulp, only the infected portion is removed. Medication is applied to manage the infection.
- Regeneration. An endodontist can provide the necessary treatment to encourage growth of dental tissues, such as underdeveloped roots.
Benefits of Seeing an Endodontist
There are many benefits of going to an endodontist for a specific dental problem:
- Save your natural tooth. Going to an endodontist at the right time can save your natural tooth, preventing the need for extraction and costly prosthetics.
- Eliminate and prevent pain. An infected tooth can be extremely painful, but endodontic treatment can eliminate your pain or prevent it from occurring or recurring.
- Improved outcomes. Seeing a specialist for a problem tooth improves the chances of a positive outcome (i.e. saving the natural tooth).
Frequently Asked Questions About Endodontics
Will it cost more to see an endodontist?
An endodontist is a dental specialist, meaning rates may be higher for procedures. However, if your insurance is accepted you will pay less out of pocket. And the cost of saving your natural tooth is typically less than replacing a tooth with a prosthetic.
Do I need a referral to see an endodontist?
You don’t need a referral to see an endodontist in most cases. However, it can be helpful to get a referral from your dentist so that your dental history and records can be used to aid in diagnosis and treatment. Some insurance plans require preauthorization as well.
Contact Contemporary Endodontics of Oklahoma
Are you in need of endodontic treatment? Contemporary Endodontics of Oklahoma is led by board certified Victoria J. Ball, DDS, MSD, whose experience, education, and training allow her to provide an advanced level of care. To learn more, call 405-285-5042 or contact us today to schedule an appointment.