Dental problems can be complex. Often, there are situations in which your family dentist is not the best professional to address your specific problem. For complicated cases, general dentists typically recruit the involvement of dental specialists, such as an endodontist, to ensure that the patient receives the best possible care.
What Does a Dentist’s Training Involve?
A general dentist receives four years of higher education and specialized training after college. During those four years, each dentist undergoes training in all aspects of dental care, including oral surgery, root canals, gum treatments, and more.
It’s important to note that general dentists are qualified and trained to perform extractions and root canals. When your dentist refers you to see a specialist, you may have a complex situation, or the dentist may simply prefer not to perform those types of procedures. Many dentists choose not to perform certain dental treatments because they do not enjoy them, and they prefer to spend their time on other treatments at which they excel.
What Does an Endodontist’s Training Involve?
An endodontist is a dentist who undergoes two to three additional years of education and training focused in the realm of endodontics. Endodontics involves the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the pulp tissue within the teeth and the roots. The pulp contains the nerves and blood vessels, and it can become infected or inflamed or necrotic (dead). The pulp is usually the source of toothaches, so endodontists are experts at pain management.
Due to the microscopic nature of their realm of expertise, endodontists often use more specialized equipment like high-powered microscopes in order to visualize the small spaces inside each tooth.
What Procedures Do Endodontists Perform?
Many people refer to endodontists as root canal specialists. While this is correct and they are the most highly trained dentists in regards to root canals, their job involves much more than simple root canals. As mentioned, most specialists are capable of managing the most complex cases.
Root Canal Treatments
Root canal treatments remove diseased pulp tissue from the inside of a tooth and replace it with a biocompatible filling material. A root canal treatment allows people to save a tooth that would otherwise require extraction.
Retreatment of Failed Root Canal Treatments
When a root canal treatment fails, a new infection develops. An endodontist is the right doctor to see for the retreatment. Using highly specialized equipment, the endodontist can often uncover the reason for the initial failure and repair it so that the retreatment has a higher success rate. A retreatment involves removal of the existing RCT filling material, identification of any additional problem areas, thorough cleaning of the canals, and re-filling them.
Management of Developing Roots
Endodontists also see young children! When a tooth undergoes trauma before the root is complete, endodontic treatment is necessary to promote full development of the tooth. Without intervention by an endodontist, the roots may not develop properly and end up too short. Short roots do not support a long lifespan for the teeth, and these teeth may be lost earlier in life.
Surgical Treatment of Disease around the Roots
When infection begins within the internal chamber of the tooth, it often spreads into the surrounding ligament, jawbone, and gum tissues. The root canal treatment, which removes the source of the infection, is often enough to allow the body to heal those surrounding tissues. In some cases, though, the infection persists, despite a successful root canal treatment inside the tooth.
This situation necessitates intervention directly into that infected tissue around the tip of the root, called the apex.
When Should I See an Endodontist?
You should see an endodontist anytime your dentist recommends one. You can also choose to go directly to the endodontist if you have an issue with a persistent toothache that your dentist has not diagnosed. Endodontists are experts at diagnosing the cause of toothaches.
You should consider seeing an endodontist when you notice a distinct color change in one of your teeth, especially if that tooth has withstood any trauma (i.e. car accident, blow to the face, or a fall).
Have Additional Questions About Endodontists? Contact Rockland Dental Specialists
Get in touch with Rockland Dental Specialists today to schedule a visit with our endodontist. We can answer any specific questions you have about endodontic procedures and assess your particular situation. Call us at (845) 259-2500 or complete our online contact form today!