Endodontist guide

What an endodontist is

Endodontists are dentists who specialize in the inside of the tooth. ADA MouthHealthy describes endodontics as the specialty focused on the pulp inside a tooth and the tissues surrounding its roots, and says endodontists are dentists who specialize in saving teeth. Our guide on what endodontics is covers the definition in more detail.

What they treat

Per ADA MouthHealthy, endodontists treat routine and complex root canals, perform endodontic surgery, and help save teeth after traumatic injuries. Cleveland Clinic adds diagnosis of complex tooth, mouth and facial pain using X-rays and sensitivity tests, retreatment of earlier root canals that did not heal, apicoectomy, emergency dental surgery, extraction of teeth too damaged to save and placing implants.

Is an endodontist a dentist?

Yes. Cleveland Clinic and the American Association of Endodontists both say all endodontists are dentists. They complete dental school and then at least two more years of specialist training, and less than 3 percent of dentists are endodontists.

What do endodontists specialize in?

The pulp: the nerves, blood vessels and tissues inside the tooth. Cleveland Clinic says they aim to relieve pain while saving the natural tooth when possible, and the AAE calls them specialists in saving teeth.

Do endodontists do crowns and general dentistry?

All endodontists are dentists, so they can provide general dental care such as fillings, cleanings and crowns if they choose to. Cleveland Clinic says endodontists can offer services such as cleanings, whitening, veneers and crowns. Many, however, limit their practice to endodontics, which is how the American Association of Endodontists describes them, saying they focus on the pulp and do not place fillings or clean teeth. So it depends on the individual practice: ask the office what services it provides. After a root canal, Cleveland Clinic says a regular dentist often follows up and may place a crown to protect the tooth. Ask the office who will place the crown and whether it is included in the quote.

What happens at an endodontic appointment

Cleveland Clinic says endodontists diagnose tooth, mouth and facial pain using X-rays, hot and cold sensitivity tests and tapping tests, so expect questions about when the pain started, what triggers it and whether it keeps you awake. Treatment may be done at the same visit or booked for another, depending on the diagnosis.

If a root canal is needed, the treatment cleans the inside of the tooth, and the tooth is then restored, often with a crown placed by your regular dentist. Ask how many visits to expect and whether the final restoration is part of the plan.

When to see an endodontist

Cleveland Clinic lists lingering or worsening tooth pain, unexplained pain in the mouth or jaw, sensitivity to heat, cold or sweets, and swelling near affected teeth or gums, and advises immediate care after a mouth injury or with signs of infection. The AAE says you can visit your dentist first or book an endodontist directly.

Saving a tooth after an injury

ADA MouthHealthy lists procedures to save teeth after traumatic dental injuries among the things endodontists do, and Cleveland Clinic advises immediate care after a mouth injury. A knocked-out or knocked-loose tooth is a dental emergency, and Cleveland Clinic says treatment is most successful within about an hour, so call a dentist right away or go to an emergency room if you cannot reach one.

Why would a dentist refer you to an endodontist?

The sources we read do not give a list of reasons dentists refer patients. ADA MouthHealthy mentions routine and complex cases, and Cleveland Clinic says endodontists diagnose complex causes of pain, so a dentist may refer when the cause of pain is unclear or the treatment is complex. The AAE reports that dentists refer an average of 43 percent of root canal patients to an endodontist, based on a survey cited in its own materials that we did not verify.

Endodontist or oral surgeon?

Cleveland Clinic says an endodontist focuses on problems inside the tooth, while an oral surgeon performs complex surgery on the teeth, gums or jawbone, including wisdom tooth removal.

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