Do Endodontists Perform Dental Fillings?

Like a general dentist, an endodontist completed a four-year degree in dental school. This allows the former to perform similar procedures like dental fillings. But endodontists completed education that goes beyond the general dentistry degree program. To become an endodontist, one must undergo two or three more years of advanced training. The focus is on diagnosing and treating issues that affect the nerves of the teeth. This means that every endodontist is a dentist, but not all dentists are endodontists.

Understanding the specialized expertise of an endodontist

Endodontists generally focus almost exclusively on performing root canal treatment. This way, they can continue building on their specialization. An endodontist does not perform simple dental procedures, such as filling cavities. They only do it if the dental filling is a part of the patient’s endodontic treatment plan. An endodontist dedicates most of their time to resolving complex cases. These include tooth pain and issues affecting the interior of the teeth.

When might dental damage need an endodontist?

The tooth is held in the jawbone by its roots. At the very core of every tooth is a soft mass of tissue, otherwise known as the dental pulp. In a healthy tooth, the pulpal tissue consists of specialized cells, nerves, and blood vessels. These complex networks extend into the roots of the tooth through the root canals.

Traumatic injury or deep tooth decay may expose the pulp to toxins from microorganisms. This can lead to the destruction of the living pulp. A dead or necrotic pulp lacks blood supply. As a result, it is more vulnerable to infection. This can cause abscesses to the gums and severe tooth pain. An endodontist is a root canal specialist who aims to save the natural tooth whenever possible.

What happens in a root canal treatment?

The first step for treating a damaged pulp is taking an imaging test. This way, the endodontist can view the shape of the affected tooth and the extent of damage in its pulpal tissue. Local anesthesia will be administered to numb the area that will be treated. Then, the endodontist will place a rubber dam around the area of the affected tooth.

During the process, the endodontist will drill a hole in the tooth down to the dentin. The diseased pulpal tissue is removed, and the space left is cleaned from the inside. Once disinfected, the endodontist fills the opening with a rubbery substance. Then, it is sealed up to prevent damage or reinfection.