What is Endodontics?
The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) defines Endodontics as: “that branch and specialty of dentistry concerned with the morphology, physiology and pathology of the dental pulp and periradicular tissues. Its study and practice encompass the basic clinical sciences, including biology of the normal pulp, and etiology, diagnosis prevention, and treatment of diseases and injuries of the pulp and associated periradicular tissues.”
Endodontic treatment includes: root canal treatment, root canal retreatment, microsurgery (apicoectomy), apexogenesis; apexification, treatment of cracked teeth, and treatment of traumatized teeth.
A specialist in Endodontics is called a Endodontist.
What is an Endodontist?
An endodontist is a dental specialist who has successfully completed an accredited advanced education program in endodontics and currently holds such specialty designation from a Provincial Dental Regulatory Authority.
While all endodontists are dentists, less than three percent of dentists are endodontists. Just like a doctor in any other field, endodontists are specialists because they’ve completed an additional two or more years of training beyond dental school. Their additional training focuses on diagnosing tooth pain and performing root canal treatment and other procedures relating to the interior of the tooth. In many cases, a diseased tooth can be saved with endodontic treatment. For this reason, endodontists proudly refer to themselves as Specialists in Saving Teeth.
An endodontist limits his or her practice solely to endodontic treatments usually performing 25 root canal treatments a week. Conversely, a general dentist may only do two root canals a week. Specialized treatment will give you the best outcome and you’ll heal faster. For this reason, dentists and endodontists often work together so that you receive the highest standard of care for all of your dental needs.