A professional endodontist is a dentist who completes the extra training to specialize in maintaining teeth through procedures that involve the soft tissue of the teeth. The soft tissue of the teeth is also known as the pulp, which contains the nerves and blood vessels of the tooth. When a patient seriously damages his or her teeth, it is important to seek professional care from a specialist. A general dentist will not have the expertise or tools to treat serious damage, where an endodontist does.

While minor issues such as plaque buildup or even a minor chip in the tooth may only need the services of a general dentist, there are many other issues that require specialist services. An endodontist provides treatment for:

• Chipped teeth
• Broken teeth
• Infected teeth
• Cracked teeth
• Inflamed/infected dental pulp
• Dental abscess

These are only some of the potential conditions that endodontists provide a more detailed level of care. Endodontists have the expertise to accomplish more than simply cleaning a tooth. If a patient is struggling with a broken or cracked tooth, the damage can spread to the pulp. Once the damage reaches the pulp of the tooth, the pain will intensify and eventually cause an infection.

An endodontist will be able to identify the source of the infection, remove the infected or inflamed pulp, and then cover the tooth back up. This way, the patient will be able to continue using the natural tooth and not feel much or any pain. Contrary to popular stigma, an endodontist does not want to immediately extract teeth. In fact, an endodontist will do everything possible to protect the tooth in question.

An endodontist values natural teeth over artificial ones. Having a tooth is better than not having a tooth, since the process of resorption will leech calcium from the jawbone and alter the appearance of one's face. While we live in a world where there are multiple options for artificial teeth replacements, the natural teeth will always be the preferred teeth of professionals.

By removing the infected root in a root canal procedure, an endodontist can save the shell of the tooth and relieve the patient of all pain. The endodontist will then cover the tooth up with a crown that protects the empty space of the root and allows the individual to continue eating whatever he or she likes.

Cementum

Cementum is that bone-like tissue that forms the outer surface on the root of the tooth.

Dental Pulp

Dental pulp is the inner-most layer of the tooth with connective tissue that contains blood vessels and nerve tissue.

Dentin

Dentin is the inner layer of the tooth structure that is immediately under the enamel and surrounds the dental pulp.

Direct Pulp Cap

A direct pulp cap is a procedure in which a professional treats exposed pulp with a therapeutic material to help the tooth heal.

Enamel

The enamel is the hard calcified layer that covers the entire tooth and is subject to interaction with multiple substances.

Endodontist

An endodontist is a specialist who focuses on treating issues, diseases and conditions that affect the inner-most layer of the tooth, the dental pulp.

Pulpectomy

A pulpectomy is a procedure that involves the complete removal of pulp tissue from the root canal in a tooth.

Pulpitis

Pulpitis is another term to describe the inflammation of the dental pulp due to an injury or infection.

Pulpotomy

A pulpotomy is a procedure involving the removal of a portion of diseased or infected pulp in order to protect the healthy portions of the pulp and teeth still in the mouth.