Have you ever had an unbearable toothache? Or do you get a toothache when you drink a hot cup of coffee or eat ice cream? At times like these, your general dentist may refer you to a specialist. That specialist dentist is what we call an endodontist. Although the name may sound strange, what these people do is try their best to save a tooth without extracting it. Today, let's talk about who these endodontists are and what they do.
Who exactly is an endodontist?
Simply put, an endodontist is a dentist who specializes in problems inside a tooth, meaning tooth pain, disease, and infection.
Think of our teeth as a small house. We can see the white part of the tooth (enamel and dentin) that looks like a house on the outside. But inside that house, like a room, there is a living part. This part is where the delicate blood vessels that nourish the tooth, the nerves that bring sensation, and the connective tissue are located. In medical terms, we call this soft, living part the tooth pulp .
Due to deep tooth decay, an accident to the tooth, or repeated treatment of the same tooth, this pulp can become damaged, inflamed, or infected. That's when we need the help of an endodontist. Their main job is to remove this infected pulp, clean the tooth, and make it usable again, that is, without extracting it.
The difference between an endodontist, a general dentist, and a periodontist
Now you might be thinking, "So this can't be done by a regular dentist?" Yes, some regular dentists also perform basic root canal treatments. But there are clear differences between the roles of these three. Let's understand it with this table.
| Doctor | Main area of focus | Main treatments |
|---|---|---|
| General Dentist | Maintaining overall dental and oral health. | Teeth cleaning, fillings, tooth extractions, dentures, basic root canal treatment. |
| Endodontist | Diagnosing and treating diseases, infections, and pain in the pulp inside the tooth. | Complex Root Canal Treatment, Root Canal Re-canalization, Apicoectomy. |
| Periodontist | Paying attention to gum disease, the tissues that hold teeth in place. | Treatment for gum disease, gum surgery, placement of dental implants. |
That means, if the foundation that holds your tooth (gums) is diseased, you go to a periodontist. If the vital part of the tooth itself is diseased, you go to an endodontist.
Why are you being referred to an endodontist?
There may be several reasons why your regular dentist may refer you to an endodontist.
- Unbearable toothache and sensitivity: If a tooth becomes extremely sensitive to hot or cold, it could mean that the nerves inside the tooth have been damaged.
- Bacterial infection: Bacteria can enter the tooth pulp through a cavity or crack in the tooth and cause an infection. This is the main reason for a root canal. A blister-like appearance of the gum at the base of the tooth is also a sign of this.
- Tooth Accident: Imagine you fall and a tooth is knocked out, or it falls out completely. Don't panic. An endodontist can reattach the tooth, stabilize it, and perform the necessary root canal treatment.
- Broken or cracked tooth: If a large piece of a tooth breaks off and exposes the pulp, a root canal may be needed to prevent infection.
What should you expect from an endodontist?
Many people are scared when they hear the word 'root canal', but it's actually done so that you don't feel any pain. Knowing what happens during this treatment will help you overcome your fear.
1. Numbness: First, the endodontist will give you a local anesthetic to numb the affected tooth and the surrounding area. So you won't feel any pain during the treatment.
2. Tooth extraction: Next, a rubber covering called a 'dental dam' is placed around the tooth to be treated to prevent the entry of saliva and bacteria.
3. Cleaning: Next, the crown of the tooth is drilled out and the infected or damaged pulp inside is completely removed. The root canals are carefully cleaned and shaped using small files. If necessary, antibiotics are also placed inside to kill the infection.
4. Filling: The cleaned root canal is completely filled and sealed with a rubber-like substance called 'gutta-percha'. The hole made on the tooth is then closed with a temporary filling.
5. Aftercare: You may feel some discomfort after the treatment. Your doctor will advise you to take a simple painkiller (e.g. Paracetamol) to help with the discomfort. After a few weeks, you will need to see your regular dentist again. He or she will remove the temporary filling and place a permanent crown to protect the tooth. This is a necessary step.
Can an endodontist extract a tooth? Yes. Because the damage to the tooth is too severe (Oops, Korean text. Must be careful). In cases where the damage to the tooth is so severe that it cannot be saved, they may extract a tooth. But their primary goal is not to extract the tooth, but to save it.
Take-Home Message
- An endodontist is a dentist who specializes in treating problems inside the tooth, especially infections of the pulp.
- Root canal treatment is a procedure that is performed to save a tooth without extracting it. An endodontist has the most experience in this.
- If you have an unbearable toothache, sensitivity to hot/cold, tooth discoloration, or a blister on your gum, see your dentist without delay.
- After root canal treatment, it is very important to have your regular dentist place a permanent crown to preserve the strength of the tooth.
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