Endodontists get a bad rap. An endodontist is a dentist specializing in the treatment of root canals. The root canal is a much feared, widely misunderstood procedure shrouded in myth and legend — and it’s time to clear its name.

Decloaking the Root Canal

Sometimes we damage the inside of our teeth, called the pulp. Pulp contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue. If any damage comes to this delicate area of the tooth, it is in the realm of the endodontist: a superhero, of sorts, for the sensitive inner-tooth.

As you can imagine, this is the type of dental work that needs just a little bit of finesse and a gentle hand. You can also imagine that in the 30s and 40s when the procedure was first performed, it would have been a whole lot more painful!

We have better antibiotics, better pain killers and way better dental equipment.

Endodontist Extraordinaire

This dentist has spent a minimum of two extra years in school focused on advanced training in root canal techniques and procedures, as well as the management of pulpal disease and orofacial pain.

Not Just Root Canals

There are several dental problems that fall in the domain of the endodontist:

- Pulp infections

- Dental/facial trauma

- Diagnosis

- If a problem persists with no readily apparent issue visible from the X-ray, an endodontist might be called in to find the problem through surgery

- Canals of roots:

- Too narrow

- Usual shape/angle

- Retreatment

- Most teeth that have been root canalled will never need more treatment, if the problem returns, the endodontist will need to retreat the area.

A root canal is not scary at all, and with our modern technology, it can be a virtually painless procedure. An endodontist takes care of the complicated procedures with skill and a deft hand. If you’re experiencing tooth pain and you think you might need a root canal, talk to your dentist today. Only your general dentist can decide if your root canal is one that will need to be accomplished by a root canal master … the endodontist.

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