Is An Endodontist The Same As A Dentist?

February 13, 2022

You may have heard of an endodontist, but what are they and is an endodontist a doctor? An endodontist is a highly skilled and additionally qualified dentist; they’re sometimes called a root canal dentist. All endodontists are dentists but not all dentists are an endodontist, meaning there is a key difference. Becoming an endodontist requires roughly 10-11 years of training in total, with a minimum of 2 years on top of dental training. In this blog, we’ll explore the main differences so you can understand why you may have been referred to an endodontist.

Endodontists generally treat complex tooth root issues and issues with the internal structure of the tooth, specifically tooth pulp. The tooth pulp is the centre part of the tooth; it includes the nerves within the tooth, blood vessels and cells. If your general dentist is not comfortable treating you for a complex root canal treatment, or other internal toot-related issues then they will likely refer you to an endodontist.

What are the common treatments to be referred to an endodontist for?

1. Tricky root canal treatment. Root canals can be a difficult procedure for many reasons, including damaged roots.
2. Tooth abscesses. It isn’t uncommon to have what is described as a ‘tooth canal abscess’, often if there is an untreated infection within the tooth it can cause acute pain. Unfortunately, this acute pain can turn into a dental abscess if untreated, which is extremely unpleasant and painful. Endodontists are highly trained in dealing with situations like this.
3. Cracked and broken teeth. Sometimes a tooth can crack or break and be repaired with no further damage; however sometimes when a tooth breaks the pulp (inside of the tooth) can be damaged and exposed.
4. Trauma to the teeth. Endodontists may be called on when a patient has had an impact injury and the teeth have been damaged below surface level. It is important to act fast in these circumstances to protect the teeth from further damage.
5. Tooth extraction, when the tooth tissue cannot be saved
6. Endodontic surgery. This includes specialized procedures like removing the edge of the tooth root.

How would you contact an endodontist if you believe you need one?

Typically you would contact an endodontist if you are experiencing

1. Unexplained tooth pain
2. Lingering tooth pain
3. Swelling
4. Teeth that are sensitive to hot and cold
5. Dental abscesses

However, before going online and doing the usual ‘endodontist near me’ you can speak to your general dentist, they may be able to treat you without intervention from an endodontist. If your dentist is unable to treat you they will refer you to an endodontist. This is a great way to be introduced to an endodontist as your notes can be passed on and as long as you trust your dentist, you can feel safe in the hands of your new endodontist.

In conclusion, an endodontist is someone that you can visit for internal tooth issues and treatments that require a specialist. When we compare an endodontist vs a dentist for a root canal, as an example, it very much depends on your dentist’s experience and confidence in the treatment. We’re often asked about the price of visiting an endodontist, If we compare endodontist vs dentist costs, we typically find endodontists do charge more due to their advanced qualifications.