An endodontist is a dentist who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of issues that are associated with teeth, in particular those issues that pertain to the dental pulp and the pulp chamber that is located within the root of the tooth.
When dealing with tooth discomfort or other issues, it is in your best interest to consult an endodontist rather than a general dentist.
There are many advantages to doing so. Continue reading to learn even more about these advantages.
What is an endodontist?
Endodontists are dental specialists who concentrate on treating difficult dental conditions, the majority of which impact the tooth pulp.
Dental practitioners refer to the nerves, blood vessels, and other tissues that are located deep within each tooth as the “pulp” of the tooth.
When you look in the mirror, the part of your teeth that you see is a coating called enamel, which is located on the outside of your teeth.
Endodontists are dental specialists who treat dental pulp and root problems using cutting-edge procedures.
The portion of your tooth that extends below your gums and is responsible for maintaining your tooth’s position is called the root.
Endodontists are dental specialists who aim to alleviate discomfort caused by teeth or the mouth while, whenever feasible, preserving the patient’s natural teeth.
Importance of having an endodontic specialist
Traditional dentists and endodontists both deal with issues pertaining to teeth, but an endodontist provides more specialized care in terms of the diagnosis and treatment of dental pulp-related issues than a typical dentist does.
When it comes to addressing problems with tooth roots, it is best to consult an endodontist rather than a general dentist, as will be discussed in the following paragraphs.
Accurate diagnosis of tooth pain
Endodontists are dental specialists who diagnose and treat conditions that affect the root of the tooth. This is in contrast to general dentists, who are trained to address a wide variety of oral health problems.
The specialist care that is provided by an endodontist typically enables a more accurate diagnosis of tooth pain, sensitivity, and other common symptoms that are caused by issues with the tooth root.
If the diagnosis is correct, then the treatment that is suggested will be able to address the issue with a reduced likelihood of it being unsuccessful.
Endodontists, in particular, are quite skilled at determining whether a patient needs root canal therapy to cure a tooth infection or extensive dental decay. This is a very common task for endodontists.
The ability to perform root canal therapy
Root canal therapy is a more complex dental operation that needs both training and experience in order to be performed successfully.
Root canal therapy is something that may be performed by a good number of general dentists, but endodontists opt to devote the majority of their practice to this particular technique.
Patients who may have been anxious prior to the treatment can benefit from this by feeling a greater sense of assurance that they are in good hands.
Endodontists see patients every day who are experiencing problems with the roots of their teeth, so they are much more likely to accurately identify whether or not a root canal (or another form of therapy) is necessary.
Better explanation of the treatment process
As was previously noted, a significant number of people feel dental anxiety prior to having a root canal operation performed.
Selecting an endodontist who specializes in the procedure at hand and is able to provide an in-depth explanation of what to anticipate as a result of it is one strategy for addressing this problem.
Together with the opportunity to get all of their questions answered, this gives the patient the chance to get psychologically and physically ready for the procedure.
All treatment takes place in the office
During the root canal operation, some traditional dentists may recommend that their patients visit an endodontist or oral surgeon instead of them.
An endodontist, on the other hand, is qualified to carry out all stages of the treatment procedure (diagnostic, treatment, and aftercare) inside the same office setting.
This makes patients feel more at ease and makes treatment generally easier to get and more accessible, whereas patients having to visit many dental experts can be a nuisance and contribute to increased costs.
Improved Technology
Endodontists make use of specialist equipment and technological advancements in order to attain more favorable outcomes. The surgical operating microscope is the tool that endodontists rely on the most, making it the most crucial piece of equipment.
Endodontists were able to work on a scale that was smaller than a millimeter thanks to the microscope, which made for more precise navigation of the root canal system.
The cone-beam computed tomography system, also known as CBCT, is yet another significant piece of equipment that is utilized here at our clinic.
The cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) created an image of the jaw that looks like a 3D x-ray and can be utilized for enhanced diagnosis and therapy.
Advanced Education
Endodontists are dentists who have undergone further study beyond the four years that are typically required for dental school.
This training includes advanced knowledge in the diagnosis of pain as well as enhanced expertise in the treatment of root canals and apical surgery.
Endodontists are the industry leaders when it comes to root canal therapy, even though a regular dentist could be qualified to do the procedure.
While a dentist who has just finished dental school may have performed an average of five root canals, an endodontist who has just finished their residency will have performed an average of 250 or more of these procedures.
Experience and Efficiency
Endodontists are specialists who only do endodontic therapy; as a result, they have developed an effective and well-tested process for performing these treatments.
Whereas conventional dentists may do an average of two root canal treatment per week, endodontists perform an average of 25 root canal treatments each and every week.
Their extensive experience usually results in shorter appointment times and a better overall experience for the patient.
Final words
Even though all endodontists are also dentists, only about 3% of dentists specialize in endodontics.
Endodontists are considered specialists because they have two or more years of training in endodontics treatment on top of what they learned in dental school. This is the same standard that applies to all other types of medical specialists.
Their extra training focuses on how to diagnose and treat tooth pain, as well as how to do root canals and other treatments that have to do with the inside of teeth.
Endodontic treatment is very good at fixing teeth that have been hurt by illness. Endodontists are very proud of the fact that they are called Specialists in Preserving Teeth because of this.
