Stabbing pain or nagging ache in a tooth might mean a root canal is necessary to save the tooth and eliminate the pain. Endodontists specialize in root canals and other treatments dealing with the tooth pulp, or the living connective tissue and cells that connect to the jaw and nerves. An endodontist will seek to diagnose tooth problems and prescribe a course of treatment in hope of saving the tooth.
When a general dentist encounters a case of damage to the nerves or blood vessels that are in the pulp inside the tooth, he might refer a patient to a specialist called an endodontist. Endodontists, who have had additional training beyond general dentistry, perform specialized treatments such as root canals that can save teeth that have become diseased, injured or rotted.
Periodontists and endodontists are professionals in the field of dentistry. However, they differ from one another in what they do in that field.
Going to the dentist is not something most people look forward to. They would rather just ignore any problems, hoping they will go away on their own. Getting a checkup every six months and practicing good dental hygiene is typically all you need to ensure healthy teeth. Accidents do happen and so does disease; when this occurs you may need to see an endodontist who specializes in some problems with the teeth.
An endodontist specializes in providing patients with root canals. The dental practitioner works with the inside of the teeth; endo is Greek for inside, and odont is Greek for tooth. When the pulp inside of a tooth becomes damaged or infected, endodontic treatment is required to treat the area. Root damage is the result of tooth decay, chipped or broken teeth and numerous dental procedures causing the weakening of the outer layer of tooth enamel. A toothache results once the area become inflamed. Untreated infection can lead to an abscess, fever or blood infections. An endodontist removes the infected pulp…
Endodontists specialize in endodontic treatments, which generally are root canals which involve damage or tooth decay that surpasses the tooth's outer portion, called the enamel. Endodontists focus primarily on issues that involve the inside of the tooth or teeth, basically the pulp of the teeth which consists of both blood vessels and nerve tissues. Endodontists use slightly different tools than general dentists use in their practices and procedures.
Endodontists specialize in emergency tooth repair. These dentists are experts on the soft masses contained inside every tooth--the nerve structure, blood vessels and other such fragile material. Endodontists treat tooth damage and infections, as well as conducting root canals and other such surgical procedures. Regular dentists do often perform endodontic procedures, but specialists are authorized by regulators to complete more complex surgeries.
When ordinary dental care is not enough to keep from having dental problems help from specialists is needed. Depending on whether the interior of the tooth is the problem or the surrounding gum tissue, the services of an endodontist or periodontist may be required.