Highly trained endodontists (dental specialists) repair tissues inside your tooth. They diagnose and treat complex causes of tooth pain, such as tooth abscesses (infection). Endodontists perform root canal treatments and other procedures to relieve pain. They work to save your natural tooth.
An endodontist is a dental specialist who focuses on complex tooth problems that primarily affect tooth pulp. Tooth “pulp” is what dental providers call the nerves, blood vessels and other tissues deep inside each tooth. When you look in the mirror, the part of your teeth you see is an outer layer called enamel.
Endodontists use advanced techniques to treat dental pulp and root issues. Your root is the part of your tooth that extends below your gums and holds your tooth in place. Endodontists focus on relieving tooth or mouth pain while saving your natural tooth whenever possible.
Endodontists specialize in diagnosing and treating complex causes of tooth pain. They work to relieve the pain while preserving your natural tooth. Endodontists are skilled at saving teeth — even severely damaged or decayed teeth.
Endodontists primarily treat damaged tooth pulp or root tissues arising from the following causes:
Endodontists are sometimes called root canal dentists. While general dentists and endodontists both perform root canal treatment, endodontists perform this procedure much more often. The additional training and higher treatment volume mean that endodontists are the experts in doing root canals.
Endodontists perform multiple procedures:
All endodontists are also dentists, which means they may perform the same procedures common in general dentistry, including cleanings, whitenings, veneers, crowns and others.
Endodontists have specialized training to diagnose many complex causes of tooth, mouth (oral) and facial pain. An endodontist may check your symptoms by performing one or more tests:
All endodontists are dentists, healthcare providers who diagnose and treat oral health conditions. But less than 3% of dentists receive the extra training to become endodontists. An endodontist is just one type of dental specialist:
Dental school takes about four years to complete. After dental school, an endodontist receives at least two more years of focused dental training. During this time, endodontists study techniques to diagnose and treat tooth pain that affects tissues inside your teeth.
How you feel after an endodontic treatment depends on your specific problem and its severity. Most endodontic treatments are outpatient procedures (you go home soon after your procedure). You may feel minor discomfort after a root canal treatment. Some people feel well enough to return to work the same day.
Your mouth or tooth may feel sore for a few days after your procedure. More extensive surgery may cause discomfort that’s more severe or lasts longer. Your provider may prescribe medication to ease your pain, fight infection or help your body heal.
After a root canal, you may need to follow up with your regular dentist. Your provider may fit a crown (metal or porcelain covering) on top of your tooth to fully protect and restore your repaired tooth. It’s important to follow your provider’s instructions to ensure your tooth heals the way it should.
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Call a dental provider you trust to evaluate any tooth pain that doesn’t go away or gets worse. Waiting to get your tooth checked may decrease the chances your provider will be able to save your natural tooth.
You may need to call an endodontist if you have:
Some causes of tooth pain (such as a tooth abscess) are dangerous if left untreated long enough. Seek immediate treatment if you injure your mouth in an accident or experience possible signs of infection, such as:
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Endodontists are dental specialists who can diagnose and treat complex causes of tooth pain. If you have ongoing tooth or mouth pain, reach out to an endodontist for help. They can help pinpoint what’s causing the problem, and they can perform procedures that can relieve pain or discomfort. Often, these treatments relieve symptoms while saving your natural tooth. It’s important to take tooth pain seriously. See a dental provider who can help.
Last reviewed on 01/10/2023.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy