These are general questions for patients. Answers will vary by practice — call ahead to confirm details before your visit.
Endodontists specialise in diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the inside of the tooth — the pulp (the soft tissue containing the nerve and blood supply) and the root canals extending from the pulp chamber to the root tips. Root canal treatment becomes necessary when the pulp is irreversibly inflamed or infected due to deep decay, a cracked tooth, trauma, or repeated dental procedures.
Despite its reputation, modern root canal treatment with effective local anesthesia is no more uncomfortable than a routine filling for most patients. What causes severe pain is the infection before treatment — the procedure relieves it. The endodontist removes the affected pulp tissue, thoroughly cleans and shapes the root canals using fine instruments, and seals them with a biocompatible material to prevent reinfection. A crown is usually recommended afterward to protect the tooth.
Endodontists also perform retreatment of teeth where a previous root canal has failed, apicoectomy (surgical removal of the root tip for persistent infections), and management of dental trauma including cracked teeth and displaced teeth. Their two to three additional years of specialty training and equipment — including surgical microscopes and cone beam CT imaging — make them the specialist of choice for complex cases, particularly molars with multiple curved canals.