While endodontists are trained and experienced in several types of procedures, the most common procedure that they perform is a root canal. With their experience, they are able to perform simple root canals as well as complicated root canals. A root canal is required when a tooth becomes infected in the root canal and is a procedure that removes the inflamed or infected pulp, then cleans and disinfects the inside of the tooth before it is filled and sealed back up. The goal of a root canal is to save the natural tooth where possible, remove bacteria from the infected root and prevent reinfection.

It is impossible to say an endodontist is better than a dentist or vice versa as their individual areas of care and treatment are completely different. While an endodontist has completed dental school, the same as a dentist has, an endodontist has continued on with their training and education in the specialized field of endodontics. Dentists are able to perform root canals in their offices but may refer you to an endodontist depending on your individual case and care needs. You and your dentist can discuss your treatment options and determine the best treatment path for your particular case. Some of the factors to take into consideration when deciding if the root canal procedure is going to be performed by your dentist or an endodontist are the type of tooth that is infected, the shape of its roots, the extent of the infection and if there is a higher chance of it being a complicated procedure due to a complex root canal system. While a dentist is able to perform a standard root canal, an endodontist will have extensive training and experience in working with complex root canal systems that can be found in multi-rooted teeth such as molars.

A root canal can be performed by a general or family dentist in their office. However, if the root canal is more complex, then you may be referred to an endodontist. An endodontist has completed the same dental school education and training as a dentist but then continued on with their training in endodontics. Here they would have learned about diagnosing tooth pain, root canal treatment, and other treatments related to the interior of the teeth. Your dentist can let you know if they are able to perform the root canal procedure themselves or if you should be referred to an endodontist. This can be based on the extent of the root canal infection, where the infected tooth is, the shape of the tooth, and their experience and comfort with performing root canals. While they can perform a root canal, their focus is on the preventative care of the teeth and mouth, including cleaning, filling cavities, and applying sealants, so they may only do a handful of root canals a month. An endodontist on the other hand specialized in tooth pain and will be performing root canals on a daily basis.

A dentist or endodontist will be able to tell you for sure if you need a root canal or not. They can confirm the need for a root canal by performing an x-ray on your tooth or teeth that is causing you pain and discomfort to determine the source. Some symptoms to watch out for that could indicate the need for a root canal are persistent tooth pain, sensitivity to hot and cold, tooth discoloration, swollen gums, sensitivity to touch, a chipped or cracked tooth, and a tooth feeling loose. If you have any of these symptoms it is best to get into a dentist or endodontist as soon as possible so they can properly diagnose you and start treatment to save the tooth. The dentist or endodontist will examine your teeth, including x-rays, to determine the extent of the decay and talk through your treatment options with you, including if the procedure can be performed by a dentist or if you need to be treated by an endodontist.

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