Who is an endodontist?
Endodontics is the branch of dentistry that primarily focuses on treating issues of the dental pulp and roots surrounding the teeth. The dental pulp comprises the innermost layer of your teeth and contains nerves, connective tissues, specialized cells, and blood vessels. Endodontists diagnose and treat underlying causes of tooth pain and repair damaged tooth pulp. They focus on saving your natural teeth. They can prescribe diagnostic tests such as X-rays and perform advanced surgical procedures to relieve toothache.
Endodontists prioritize a patient's comfort and provide pain management services such as administering anesthesia or using other numbing techniques before a procedure. They also offer post-surgical care and may prescribe over-the-counter or strong medications like narcotics to help with mild soreness after a procedure. Your endodontist may also provide instructions for pain relief and post-procedure tooth care.
How is an endodontist different from a dentist?
An endodontist and a dentist are similar in their focus on diagnosing, treating, and preventing tooth decay and related issues. However, endodontists are highly specialized dentists and have to complete two to three years of additional training in diseases of the dental pulp (after completing four years of dental school). They also have expertise in complex surgical procedures such as root canal treatments and emergency dental surgery. To become board-certified, they must pass the American Board of Endodontics examination.
According to the American Association of Endodontics, an endodontist completes roughly 25 root canal treatments a week on average, while general dentists may perform two. General dentists diagnose various oral health issues, including gum disease and oral cancer, perform routine check-ups, and place fillings or dental sealants on cavities.
What makes endodontists and orthodontists different?
While they’re both dental specialists, their areas of focus and the types of treatments they provide are what set them apart.
Area of specialization
Endodontists specialize in treating the inside of the tooth—mainly the dental pulp and root canals. They diagnose and treat infections, pain, and other issues affecting the tooth’s inner structure, often using root canal therapy to save damaged teeth.
Orthodontists specialize in correcting jaw alignment and straightening teeth. Braces, aligners, and other orthodontic appliances are tools they commonly use.
Type of treatment
Endodontic treatments are focused on relieving pain and treating infection or inflammation inside the tooth. Their goal is to preserve the tooth by addressing problems deep within it and its supporting tissues.
Orthodontic treatments focus on fixing misaligned teeth and jaws. They treat issues like crooked teeth, overbites, underbites, and overcrowding. These adjustments not only improve appearance but also support long-term oral health and function.
Procedures performed
Endodontists carry out procedures like root canals, repeat root canal treatments (called retreatments), and treatments for dental abscesses. They also treat injuries to the tooth’s pulp and perform certain types of gum surgery when needed.
Orthodontists use devices like braces, retainers, clear aligners, and palate expanders to gradually move teeth into the correct position. In more complex cases, they may work alongside oral surgeons.
Training and education
Both endodontists and orthodontists begin their careers by completing dental school. After that, they each go through an additional two to three years of specialized training in their respective fields—endodontics or orthodontics.
Who they treat
Endodontists usually treat patients who are dealing with tooth pain, infections, or inflammation in the pulp. Orthodontists treat patients of all ages—children, teens, and adults—who need help with aligning their teeth or jaws, whether for health reasons or cosmetic improvements.
What conditions do endodontists treat?
Habits such as improper brushing can cause certain bacteria in the mouth to eat away the enamel of your teeth, leading to deep cavities, decay, bad toothaches, and other issues. An endodontist can treat the following painful conditions:
- Tooth decay: It causes a sharp, dull, or throbbing ache in the tooth and may also result in sensitivity to hot or cold foods. Tooth decay is the buildup of plaque (a sticky layer on the teeth's surface) that erodes the enamel and causes cavities or holes.
- Traumatic tooth injuries: Accidents or sports injuries can often cause chipped or wholly broken teeth. Endodontic treatment of dental injuries depends on the severity, location, and type of injury suffered. An endodontist may attempt to immediately restore and reposition your tooth to avoid root resorption, where the body may reject its tooth as a defense response to an injury.
- Tooth abscesses: They occur due to a bacterial infection that can develop in the gums, teeth roots, or bones and tissues that support the teeth. Symptoms such as an aching in the jaw while chewing and inflammation or swelling in the gums may indicate abscess formation. Your endodontist will most likely perform surgery or root canal treatment to remove the bacteria from the canals of your mouth.
What standard procedures do endodontists perform?
Over-the-counter pain medications and even prescription medicines sometimes cannot resolve tooth pain. Surgery may be essential and the only way to preserve the tooth. The best endodontist near you can perform several dental procedures, such as:
- Root canal treatment (RCT): It involves removing inflamed or infected tissue from the tooth. During an RCT, patients receive local anesthesia, and an endodontist places a dental dam on the tooth to isolate the affected area. They then access the pulp from the back or top of the tooth, clean and disinfect it, and place a filling or dental after the procedure.
- Dental implants: Dental implants may be crucial for those who have lost one or more teeth. They are metal screws that act as a secure anchor for artificial teeth such as dental bridges, dentures, or crowns. A dental implant process may take several months to complete. Over these months, your dentist will remove the tooth, place a bone graft and membrane, and place an implant after the affected area heals. They then place temporary teeth before making a mold for permanent dentures.
- Tooth extraction or removal: It is a procedure performed when excessive tooth infection or decay causes indefinite damage to the root. Other conditions, such as overcrowding of teeth and injuries, may also require extraction. An endodontist will numb the impacted tooth and make incisions in the gums before extracting it. Recovery after extraction depends on the condition's severity and can take a few days to several weeks.
What to expect at the endodontist near you?
When you schedule an appointment with an endodontist, it's typically for a root canal procedure. To ensure you are well-prepared for your visit, it's vital to clearly understand what to expect during your time at the endodontist's office.
Before commencing the root canal procedure, the endodontist will administer a local anesthetic, a medication designed to numb the specific area in your mouth where the procedure will take place. This step is crucial in ensuring you won't experience any pain during the treatment. A dental dam will also be placed around the affected tooth to isolate and keep it dry.
The procedure begins with the endodontist accessing your tooth's crown (the top part) and carefully removing the damaged pulp. After removing the pulp, the endodontist meticulously cleans, reshapes, and enlarges the root canal—the pathway from the pulp to your jawbone. For this purpose, endodontists utilize specialized small files. Sometimes, the endodontist may apply medication to the area to prevent infection.
To restore the tooth's integrity, the endodontist fills the newly treated root canal with a rubber-like substance, acting as a protective bandage. Typically, the dentist places a temporary or permanent filling over the tooth opening to seal it off. Mild soreness is usual after a root canal operation. Over-the-counter pain relievers can manage any pain or discomfort you may encounter during the recovery period.
You will return to your general dentist within a few weeks after the root canal. The endodontist near you will remove the temporary filling during this visit and fit a permanent crown onto the tooth. This final step enhances the tooth's appearance and ensures its long-term functionality.
Benefits of endodontic treatment
Seeing an endodontist for tooth pain and related issues offers several advantages over visiting a general dentist. Discover more about these benefits below:
- Preserves your natural smile: Root canal therapy allows endodontists to save a patient’s natural tooth structure, avoiding the need for artificial replacements like dentures or implants. This preservation helps maintain the patient’s natural, beautiful smile without worrying about unnatural-looking alternatives.
- Alleviates pain: Endodontists can perform endodontic treatment to significantly reduce pain caused by infected teeth or gums. Patients typically experience immediate relief from discomfort after root canal therapy.
- Prevents further serious infections: Endodontic treatment effectively prevents further serious infections by eliminating bacteria and debris from the root canal. This ensures prolonged health for your patients' teeth and gums, thus maintaining their beautiful smiles.
- Efficient and cost-effective: Endodontic treatment offers a highly efficient and cost-effective solution for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. It saves patients time and money as well as prevents difficulties that come with more intrusive treatments such as implants or bridges, which can be far more expensive than standard root canals.
- Virtually pain-free: Root canal procedures are nearly painless as they are performed under anesthesia and do not involve cutting the gum line or extracting the tooth. Additionally, aftercare is minimal compared with other treatments, such as implants or bridges, which might necessitate further procedures like bone grafting.
How can you find the best endodontist near you in New York, NY?
Seeing an endodontist can help save your teeth and preserve your natural smile for an extended period. If you are experiencing toothache, sensitivity, or swelling around your teeth, you may consider seeing a dentist immediately. A general dentist can refer you to an endodontist if you require a root canal treatment or dental implant.
Finding the best endodontist who accepts your insurance and fits your schedule can take time and effort. You can use Zocdoc’s insurance checker to learn more about your plan’s coverage. Although attaching your insurance information to your account simplifies the process, it may occasionally cause privacy concerns. However, Zocdoc uses industry best practices to protect your information, so you don’t have to be concerned. When you book an appointment on Zocdoc, you’ll be asked to either share your insurance details or confirm that you’re paying out-of-pocket. Some providers need your insurance info before you can book with them. If you don’t have insurance or prefer not to use it, you can choose a different provider on Zocdoc. If you have further questions, please contact Zocdoc’s patient support center or learn more about the company's data and privacy policies here.
However, you can rely on Zocdoc to help you find the right specialist in your area or neighborhood and book a video consultation or in-person visit within minutes! Booking an appointment from the comfort of your home takes just a few easy steps. If you reside in New York City, schedule an appointment by visiting the Zocdoc website and entering your location, condition or symptoms, insurance plan, and preferred appointment date. You can select a provider based on gender, hospital affiliation, distance, office location, wait time, and whether they treat children.
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Oral health statistics for New York
Data collated by the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) in 2020 shows that approximately 66.3% of all adults aged 18 and above residing in New York had visited a dental clinic or seen a dentist in the past year. Out of those who visited the dentist, the majority, or 69.5%, comprised females, and 63.7% comprised males. People with education levels greater than high school (76.5% of college graduates) were more likely to see a dentist than those who did not graduate high school (48.2%). It also showed that of all New York adults aged 65 and above, 12.3% had lost all their natural teeth, and 35.3% had lost six or more teeth because of gum disease and tooth decay.
Research indicates that people who drink fluoridated water are less likely to develop oral cavities and other dental issues. According to the CDC Water Fluoridation Reporting System (WFRS), approximately 71.5% of New York residents received fluoridated water from the Community Water Systems (CWS) in 2018.
Sources
National Center for Biotechnology Information
Wiley
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
Healthline
Mouthhealthy
American Association of Endodontists[1]
American Association of Endodontists[2]
American Association of Endodontists[3]
American Association of Endodontists[4]
American Association of Endodontists[5]
American Association of Endodontists[6]
WebMD
Modern Dental Smiles
Mellion Orthodontics
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