Endodontist

Overview

This guide explains what an endodontist is, when to see an endodontist, and how root canal treatment can help with saving teeth. It is written for patients.

An endodontist is a dentist who specializes in the inside of the tooth. The center of each tooth holds soft tissue called the pulp. The pulp contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. When the pulp becomes inflamed or infected, an endodontist can treat it. Most endodontic care focuses on keeping a natural tooth rather than removing it.^[11]

What an Endodontist Does

An endodontist treats the dental pulp and the tissue around the tooth root. The most common treatment is root canal therapy.^[11]

What to Know Before Your Visit

You usually see an endodontist after a referral from your general dentist, though you can also schedule directly. Timing matters most when pain or swelling is present.

Endodontists treat both adults and children. For a young tooth with an open root, an endodontist may choose a regenerative or pulp-preserving approach instead of a standard root canal.^[7] Tell your endodontist about your medical history and any medicines you take. To prepare, eat a normal meal before your visit unless told otherwise, since the area may feel numb afterward.

What to Expect During Root Canal Treatment

A root canal treatment usually takes one or two visits. The endodontist numbs the tooth, removes the infected pulp, cleans the canals, and seals them.

Here is what typically happens during root canal therapy:

• The endodontist takes images, sometimes a 3D cone-beam scan, which can reveal cracks or root fractures that flat X-rays may miss.^[9]
• A numbing medicine makes the tooth and gum comfortable.
• The endodontist opens the tooth and removes the infected or inflamed pulp.
• The canals are cleaned, disinfected, and shaped.^[2]
• A medicine may be placed between visits to lower the chance of a flare-up.^[3]
• The canals are filled and sealed, and you return to your dentist for a permanent crown or filling.

Cost Factors

The cost of root canal treatment varies. Costs vary by location, provider, and case complexity.

A front tooth with one canal usually costs less than a molar with several canals. Endodontic retreatment and endodontic surgery often cost more than a first root canal. Many dental insurance plans cover part of root canal therapy, but coverage differs by plan. Ask your endodontist for a written estimate and check your benefits before treatment. When comparing options, research shows that saving a natural tooth compares well with extraction and replacement, such as an implant.^[10]

When to See an Endodontist

See an endodontist when tooth pain is severe, lasts more than a few days, or comes with swelling. These are common reasons for a referral.

A general dentist handles routine fillings and simple care. You may need specialty care when a tooth has a deep infection, a crack, a fracture, or a canal that is hard to reach. Signs of resorption, where the body breaks down tooth structure, also call for specialist evaluation.^[8] An endodontist has the advanced education and tools, including 3D imaging, to diagnose and treat these problems while saving teeth when possible.^[9] If a first root canal did not heal, a repeat treatment by a specialist is often the next step.