About Endodontics

Endodontics is a specialty of dentistry that deals with diseases of the dental pulp and its supporting structures. Endodontists are Dentists with special post-graduate training in this field and are experienced at finding the cause of oral and facial pain that has been difficult to diagnose. The most common endodontic procedure is root canal therapy. This procedure allows for the patient to preserve teeth that would otherwise need to be extracted due to trauma, disease or decay.

Endodontic treatment is necessary when the pulp becomes inflamed or infected. The inflammation or infection can have a variety of causes: deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, or a crack or chip in the tooth. In addition, trauma to a tooth may cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks. If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess.

After a dentist finishes their dental degree they must undergo 2-3 additional years of postgraduate training to become an endodontist. The American Dental Association (ADA) accredited programs are a minimum of two years in length.

What is an Endodontist?
An Endodontist is a dentist who specializes in saving teeth. Endodontists become specialists by completing two or more years of advanced training in endodontics following dental school. They perform routine as well as difficult and very complex endodontic procedures, including root canal treatment, retreatments and endodontic surgery.

As a result of their specialty training, Endodontists are skilled in finding the cause of oral and facial pain that has been difficult to diagnose. They are also experts at managing and relieving tooth pain, treating traumatic injuries to teeth and performing other procedures including internal bleaching to remove discoloration from teeth and vital pulp therapies. Endodontists may use advanced technology, such as operating microscopes, ultrasonics and digital imaging to perform these special services.

For more information, visit www.AEE.org