What is Endodontics?

If you’re having tooth pain, you may want to visit an endodontist. You may be wondering why you should visit an endodontist versus a dentist. Endodontists are specialized dentists that undergo advanced medical training, are trained in pain management, and complete more complex dental treatments.

Rick Davis, DDS, and Rick Schwartz, DDS, are experts in endodontics at Endodontic Consultants of San Antonio. If you are experiencing severe tooth pain, visit a specialist who can diagnose and help treat it.

How is endodontics different from dentistry?

Endodontics is a dental specialty dedicated to treating infected teeth. Endodontists know how to treat conditions affecting dental pulp, the tissue inside your teeth that contains nerves and blood vessels. If you have a dental pulp infection and need a root canal, an endodontist has the advanced training necessary to help. 

Whenever possible, it’s better to save a natural tooth than extract or replace it with a prosthetic tooth. An endodontist can treat your severe dental pain and strengthen endangered teeth. After a root canal, with proper care, you can usually keep a tooth for life. 

Many endodontists use small, digital radiographs and 3-D imaging to take detailed pictures of your infected teeth. These forms of treatment are more complex than traditional dentistry and require more training, care, and specialization.

Endodontist training

To save teeth in danger, an endodontist completes additional training of at least two years in a graduate residency after dental school. Rick Davis, DDS, and Rick Schwartz, DDS, are experts in endodontics and have over 20 years experience. In fact, a typical endodontist performs between 800 and 1,000 root canal procedures per year!

A general dentist will often consult with their endodontist to gather experience, advice and expertise, and provide referrals of patients in need.

The team at Endodontic Consultant of San Antonio educates their patients about their particular situation and helps them to make the right decisions about their dental care. The practice’s specialists are up to date on the latest treatments and techniques, including root canals that are virtually painless.

What an endodontist treats 

An endodontist treats complex dental conditions, including:

• Tooth sensitivity (occuring when you consume hot or cold foods)
• Swelling of the soft tissue around the affected teeth or in the cheek or chin
• Pain in your teeth when chewing 
• Discoloration (not fixed with traditional teeth whitening)

The above issues may all be signs of a dental pulp infection or dental trauma. An endodontist can perform a procedure to lessen your pain and strengthen your tooth.

Your dentist may refer you to an endodontist if they notice a problem that requires a more advanced, specialized approach. You may also schedule an appointment with an endodontist yourself if you are experiencing any of the above issues.

How an endodontist manages pain

Endodontists treat tooth pain by addressing the underlying cause, which usually means removing infected, inflamed, or diseased dental pulp. You may associate root canal with severe pain, but thanks to modern techniques and anesthetics, it’s no more painful than a simple extraction, and far less painful than an unmanaged tooth infection. Our team is dedicated to helping you feel comfortable using pain management techniques, both during and after your procedure.

If you’re experiencing complex or severe tooth pain, call or book an appointment at Endodontic Consultants of San Antonio to cure your infected tooth.