General dentists and endodontists both provide dental treatment, but they perform different procedures.
An endodontist is a specialist who performs root canal procedures while a general dentist does multiple procedures such as cleaning teeth, routine examinations, fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures, and applying sealants.
Understanding the difference between the two will help you decide who to choose for your treatment needs. Consulting the right person, either the dentist or endodontist ensures you receive proper care and successful treatment.
Requirements to become a dentist
Dentists are essential healthcare providers who play a vital role in maintaining and restoring the health of teeth, gums, and mouth. They are skilled and highly trained to diagnose and treat various dental problems.
Completing a four-year bachelor’s degree, typically in a science subject like biology or chemistry, followed by a four-year degree in dentistry, known as a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD), which incorporates laboratory work, classroom instruction, and clinical practice.
Dentists need to pass a national written and practical exam to be able to practice in their state and complete continuing education courses throughout their careers to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in dental technology and treatments.
General services provided by dentists
They provide routine dental treatments that address all of your oral healthcare needs. This includes preventive care, diagnosis, treatment planning, and common dental procedures.
Common dental procedures performed by dentists
Some of the most common dental procedures that dentists perform are fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures, extractions, dental implants and root canal treatment.
- Fillings are used to repair or restore cavities or damaged teeth
- Crowns are caps placed over a broken or weak tooth to improve its strength, function, and look
- Bridges are fixed dental restorations that replace one or more missing teeth, by taking support from adjacent teeth on both sides
- Root canals remove damaged tooth pulp and save the tooth
- Dentures are removable appliances that replace missing teeth and surrounding tissues
- Dental implants are cylindrical titanium screws that are surgically placed in the jawbone to act as artificial tooth roots. Depending on the location and number of teeth to be replaced, crowns, bridges, or dentures go over these implants for a long-lasting and natural-looking solution.
Who is an Endodontist?
Endodontists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of issues of the dental pulp and root canals.
These procedures help save teeth that might otherwise be lost due to pulp infection or damage. Timely treatment by an endodontist ensures the longevity and health of these teeth.
Education and training required to become an endodontist
A four-year Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) education needs to be finished, followed by a two- or three-year endodontics residency program, to become an endodontist.
Several written and clinical examinations must be passed for endodontists to qualify for board certification from the American Board of Endodontics.
Specialized services provided by endodontists
Endodontists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of issues of the dental pulp and root canals. The treatments that come under their specialization include root canal therapy, retreatment of root canals, management of dental trauma, internal whitening for teeth that get discolored due to internal bleeding or staining, and apicoectomy for infections persisting at the root tip.
General Dentist Vs Endodontist-Differences in Roles and Specialties
Sometimes different dental professionals need to work together to provide the best treatment to the patient. Both dentists and endodontists with different areas of expertise play crucial roles in oral health.
Understanding these differences lets you make informed decisions about your dental care needs.
Overview of the roles of dentists and endodontists
General dentists provide preventive care, diagnosis, and treatment of oral disease, and restorative dentistry. They conduct routine examinations, detect potential problems, and perform routine dental procedures.
Endodontists on the other hand treat more complicated infections or inflammation within the soft tissue of teeth, focusing on the intricate structure of the dental pulp.
They undergo intensive training after dental school, to gain the knowledge and skills, providing treatment such as retreatment of root canals, internal bleaching, apicoectomy, advanced root canal therapy, and managing dental trauma.
Services Offered by Dentists
General dentists are primary oral healthcare providers that deal with preventive care, diagnosis and treatment of oral disease and restorative dentistry.
Preventive dental care and routine checkups: Regular checkups and cleanings, fluoride treatments, dietary advice to avoid cavities and gum disease, and the diagnosis and treatment of oral conditions.
Restorative procedures: simple root canal procedures, fillings, dentures, crowns, bridges, dentures, and at times dental implants.
Cosmetic dentistry: Cosmetic dental procedures improve the appearance of your smile. These include veneers, which are thin shells that fit to the front of teeth to modify the color, shape, or size of your teeth. Teeth whitening is done to achieve a brighter, whiter smile.
Services Offered by Endodontists
Endodontists treat more complicated infections or inflammation within the soft tissue of teeth, focusing on the intricate structure of the dental pulp. They have the knowledge and skills for providing complex treatments such as
- Retreatment of Root Canals: In some cases, previously treated root canals may get re-infected or develop new issues. Endodontists have the skills and knowledge to retreat such cases and potentially save the tooth.
- Managing Dental Trauma: Dental pulp can be damaged by tooth injuries. Endodontists have the expertise to assess the damage and, perform root canal therapy as well as other procedures that might be needed.
- Internal Bleaching: This is performed to restore the natural color of teeth that have gotten darker as a result of internal bleeding or staining.
- Apical Surgery: Infections may sometimes persist at the root’s tip. Apicoectomies are surgical procedures that are performed to remove infections and seal the end of the canal to save the tooth.
Making Informed Dental Care Decisions
Proactive dental care is essential to maintain a healthy smile. Regular checkups and cleanings will help with the timely diagnosis of cavities, gum disease, and other oral health.
Signs you might need an Endodontist: Severe throbbing pain, sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet liquids or food, facial swelling, bad taste in your mouth, and tooth trauma are signs that you might need to consult with an endodontist.
Importance of consulting with a general dentist: A general dentist would be your first point of contact for an in-depth examination, which might include X-rays if needed, as well as for initial treatment and referral to an endodontist or any other dental specialist if needed.
Conclusion
While both endodontists and dentists have a crucial role in preserving dental health, their specialties are different.
Dentists handle routine dental procedures while endodontists deal with more complicated procedures involving treating root canals and the dental pulp. These include root canal retreatment, apicoectomy, internal bleaching, and complex root canal therapy.
Understanding these differences allows you to make more informed decisions about your dental health. A general dentist is the first point of contact for patients to assess their treatment needs, provide preventive care, and, if necessary, refer them to endodontists. Maintaining a happy smile requires early detection and regular dental examinations.