What's The Difference Between A Dentist And An Endodontist?
Posted on 10/31/2023 by OM
You might not have thought about it, but there is a difference between a dentist and an endodontist, just as there is a difference between a general practitioner and a specialist in the medical field. If you have ever had serious tooth pain, seeing an endodontist may be just what you need.
Why An Endodontist?
Endodontists specialize in issues that result in a painful tooth. Specifically, endodontists specialize in root canals. While many dentists can perform root canals, endodontists perform a lot more root canals than a typical dentist does...in fact, endodontists usually handle 10 times the amount of root canals as a general dentist.
General dentists are great for checkups, tooth cleanings, and screenings for problems, such as wisdom teeth impaction and oral cancer screenings. However, if you are suffering from tooth pain in one tooth, you may want to see an endodontist.
What Is A Root Canal?
You may have heard of the term root canal, but you might not know what it is. Bacteria cause all cavities. Ordinarily, the bacteria benefit you because they help to break down foods you are digesting before they begin their journey to your stomach. However, if you have too much bacteria, it can impact your teeth. When bacteria remain on your teeth, the acids present with the bacteria can begin to bore holes in your tooth enamel, which is the cause of cavities.
When a cavity becomes large enough, it can put the entire tooth in danger. A cavity can bore into and through the tooth enamel and into the tooth pulp. This is when the cavity is the most painful because the tooth pulp contains both nerves and blood supply. The only way to save a tooth at this stage is through a root canal.
In a root canal, a dentist or endodontist will deaden the tooth and then make an incision into the top of your tooth. The infection is extracted, and the tooth is treated with antibiotics and filled with a pulp substitute. Usually, to make sure the tooth remains strong, dentists and endodontists will crown the tooth in order to protect it. If you are having a problem with your tooth, you need to let a dentist take a look as soon as possible.
Smile More Spokane Family Dentistry, 9671 North Nevada St. ste. 200, Spokane, WA 99218-1146 • (509) 505-6303 • spokanefamilydentistry.com • 11/6/2024 • Tags: dentist Spokane WA •