While all endodontists are dentists, less than three percent of dentists are endodontists. Like doctors in other fields, endodontists are specialists simply because they have completed an extra two or more years of training beyond dental school. Their additional training centers on root canal treatment diagnosing tooth pain and other important procedures relating to the interior of the tooth. In lots of cases, a diseased tooth can be saved with the help of endodontic treatment. It is this very reason that endodontists refer to themselves as “specialists who save teeth.” Dentists provide care to keep our pearly whites in good health, while endodontists have specialized expertise. Did you know that a dentist performs about two root canals per week while an endodontist performs almost 30 in a week? Also, endodontists don’t clean teeth or place fillings in, but instead spend their time diagnosing and treating tooth pain as they are very skilled and know how to find the cause of facial and oral pain that is commonly difficult to diagnose. Endodontists are experts in pain management and have access to the best cutting-edge technologies for a number of procedures.

The choice of which type of dentist to use for a root canal really depends on the degree of difficulty of the procedure and your dentist’s level of comfort in working on your tooth. In other words, if it’s a fairly straightforward root canal procedure, your dentist may perform the procedure, but if it’s more complex, then your dentist will refer you to an endodontist. Root canal treatment is considered a safe and effective treatment for pulp that has become inflamed or infected. A root canal might also be needed in other situations to help save and restore a tooth. Most times, an endodontist may be recommended by a dentist since the actual treatment remains, for many patients, the only viable option to retain a tooth that is infected or has suffered severe damage.

An endodontics specialist maintains teeth through endodontic therapy – procedures involving the soft inner tissue, called the pulp. The word “endodontic” comes from “endo,” which means inside, and “odont,” meaning tooth. It is Greek, like many medical terms. Every dentist is trained in the diagnosis and endodontic therapy, however, some teeth can be especially difficult to diagnose and treat, so this is why patients are referred to an endodontic specialist. In addition to the lengthy years of schooling, endodontists receive two or more years of advanced education outside of dental school, where they study root canal procedures and techniques in greater depth in order to help diagnose and treat more difficult cases. This is why most dentists refer their patients to endodontists.

You can certainly go to an endodontist, but it is important to consult with your dentist first or call one in your area to see if they have openings. Endodontists offer a number of services, like dental surgery treatment, dislodged teeth treatment, root canal surgery, apicoectomy, and swollen gums treatment. If you think your dental problem is serious, you can call an endodontist and book on your own.

If you are experiencing dental pain, have loose teeth, or are in pain, then we welcome you to contact us or book an appointment through our website. Our office is equipped with the latest technology and our team is committed to helping treat your dental problems. We are open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Friday from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM (by appointment only). We serve patients from Washington DC, Woodbridge VA, Arlington VA, Lorton VA, Manassas VA, Springfield VA, Alexandria VA, and Silver Spring MD.