Less than three percent of dentists are endodontists, according to the American Association of Endodontists (AAE). As such, it’s no surprise that many people don’t know what endodontists are. However, the procedure that endodontists perform is widely known: the root canal. Endodontics is a specialized field in dentistry that focuses on problems associated with the interior of the tooth (also known as the tooth pulp). And while this most commonly refers to root canals, endodontists are also experts at diagnosing tooth pain and can sometimes perform procedures other than root canals in order to save the tooth.
Wondering why you should see an endodontist instead of a general dentist? As we mentioned above, endodontics is a specialized field, so an endodontist has additional, advanced, highly-specialized training that goes beyond what general dentists receive. This training occurs after dental school and usually takes one to two years. Since endodontists focus exclusively on treating diseases of the tooth pulp, they quickly become experts at diagnosing teeth problems, treating the pain, and performing treatment procedures. In fact, the AAE estimates that endodontists perform an average of 25 root canals each week, whereas general dentists only perform about two!
In addition to their highly specialized skill set and advanced experience, endodontists are pain management gurus who know how to keep their patients comfortable during and after procedures. This is not only due to their experience but also because of the advanced technologies that endodontists use. Since root canals are traditionally feared procedures, it gives many patients peace of mind to know that they’re being given the very best care available. To learn more, check out our blog about questions to ask your endodontist.
Looking for endodontic care in the Tukwila, WA area? We’d love to help you! South Center Endodontics has proudly been serving Tukwila, WA and the surrounding areas for 30+ years. Learn more about our practice here.
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