What Does an Endodontist Do?

An endodontist is a dental specialist who treats teeth from the inside out. The primary focus of endodontics is the dental pulp, the soft tissue at the center of a tooth. When this tissue is damaged, infected, or at risk, endodontic procedures are used to treat and protect the tooth.

What Qualifications Does an Endodontist Have? 

An endodontist is a dentist who specializes in endodontics. An endodontist must first complete the educational requirements of a general dentist, and then complete additional training in endodontics. The additional training on top of general dentistry certification takes an additional 2-3 years to complete.

What Services Does an Endodontist Provide? 

An endodontist provides a range of dental and endodontic services related to the dental pulp, including: 

• Root canal therapy. If a tooth is infected or at risk of infection, a root canal is a procedure used to treat or prevent it. Bacteria can invade the root canal of a tooth and infect the dental pulp through decay or damage to the tooth or root structure. Root canal therapy removes the dental pulp, thoroughly cleans out the root canal, and fills the tooth with a replacement material that is resistant to infection. 

• Endodontic retreatment. In some cases a tooth that has already had root canal therapy will need retreatment. This may occur if new decay in the tooth exposes the root canal again, or if the root canal was not thoroughly cleaned out the first time. The procedure is essentially the same as the original root canal. 

• Endodontic surgery. If the source of infection is the root of a tooth, endodontic surgery may be necessary. This involves going in under the gums to access the root of a tooth to treat the infection at the source and repair the damage to the root that is allowing bacteria to enter. 

• Cracked tooth treatment. A cracked tooth often needs a root canal to treat or prevent infection. A crack in a tooth can expose the dental pulp to bacteria unless it is treated and covered with a crown. 

• Dental trauma. Endodontists treat knocked out teeth, broken teeth, and other types of dental trauma that may affect the health of a tooth. 

Why Do I Need to See an Endodontist? 

Your dentist may refer you to an endodontist if you have a severe tooth infection or a tooth that has become reinfected after a root canal. Complex cases may need treatment from a specialist with advanced equipment and expertise. In the case of dental trauma, such as a knocked out tooth, the chance of saving the tooth increases when it is addressed by a specialist. 

How Do I Find a Qualified Endodontist? 

Look for a certified, licensed endodontist who has earned the specialization in the field. Ask for proof of credentials if it would help you feel more confident in an endodontist’s abilities. Consider how much experience they have and whether or not their office technology is up to date. Read online reviews to see what patients are saying about the practice. Ask your dentist for recommendations. 

Elite Endodontics NH Provides Quality Endodontic Services

Elite Endodontics of New Hampshire provides a wide variety of endodontic services across two locations. We perform root canal therapy using GentleWave® technology to make the procedure less invasive and more effective. GentleWave® uses sound waves to move liquid in such a way that it flushes out the root canal of a tooth gently, preventing the need for scraping with traditional dental tools. Benefits include accelerated recovery and reduced need for endodontic retreatment. 

Contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment.