Endodontists specialize in root canals. Once general dentists who underwent years of additional training specific to root canal therapies, they now handle only endodontic procedures in their practices.

Who needs an Endodontist?

Anyone believing (or knowing) they are in need of a root canal needs an endodontist if their normal dentist does not perform them, or if they have a unique case requiring additional expertise. Root canal procedures are necessary when the soft tissue inside a tooth’s root canal becomes inflamed or infected, which can be the result of anything from a chipped tooth to severe tooth decay. Without treatment, pain stemming from the infected tissue will increase, and an abscess may develop. Delaying treatment may also cause the tooth to require extraction.

Symptoms that send patients to the endodontist include: mouth pain; difficulty chewing due to tenderness; sensitivity to heat and cold; discolored teeth; and/or swollen lymph nodes.

Some individuals with undiagnosed pain in the mouth or facial area may be referred to an endodontist for further testing to see if their discomfort is being caused by a root canal infection.

What to expect when you first meet an Endodontist

During a standard root canal, the endodontist begins by numbing the infected tooth and drilling a hole to gain access to the canal. They then remove and discard the infected soft tissue. Once the infection has been cleared, the canal is cleaned and reshaped using a special file.

Different endodontists have different strategies for ending a root canal procedure. Some prefer to complete everything in one visit, while others prefer to wait a week or two in order to make sure the pain disappears. If your endodontist prefers to wait, they fill your tooth with a pain reliever and close the opening with a temporary sealant until you return for a second visit.

To finish a root canal, the canal itself is filled with a special rubber material. The rest of the tooth is then filled just as a typical cavity would be, and then sealed.

After a root canal, you need to see your regular dentist in order to have a crown put on the treated tooth. Until the crown is installed, consider your tooth to be very fragile-do not chew or bite down, as it may break.

Since an infected tooth is generally painful, most patients find that their root canal alleviates their current pain, as opposed to worsening it. Local anesthetic almost always prevents discomfort during the procedure. Some irritation is to be expected for a few days following a root canal, and can be treated with an over-the-counter pain medication.

Endodontic Services

An endodontist performs a wide variety of endodontic (root canal) procedures, from a basic root canal to advanced root canal surgery.

Not all root canals are alike. For example, molars are more challenging to work on than other teeth, and may take longer (and cost more). Some teeth cannot be treated easily, whether because they are badly damaged or because a tooth’s particular root canal cannot be reached. Endodontists provide the experience necessary to handle these special cases, and they either perform a more advanced endodontic procedure or recommend an alternate course of action.