While endodontists specialize in diagnosing and treating tooth pain and infections, periodontists focus their skills on the treatment of gum inflammation and disease and supporting gum health. Let’s take a closer look….
Endodontists Save Your Natural Teeth
Endodontists specialize in procedures which are designed to save natural teeth whenever possible. The word “endo” originates in the Greek language and means “inside” or within. They’re skilled diagnosticians, who are dedicated to finding and treating tooth pain. With a deep understanding of the inside of your teeth, they can accurately pinpoint problems and determine whether a tooth has become damaged or infected and how best to treat it - whether through a filling, root canal, or another endodontic process.
Endodontists diagnose and treat:
- Decayed teeth
- Cracked teeth
- Traumatic dental injuries
- Root canals, retreatment of root canals, and other surgeries to save your teeth
- Bleaching of traumatized teeth
- Complex pain problems
Endodontists Provide Skilled Root Canal Treatment
Highly trained in treating dental pulp issues, root canals are a major focus for endodontists. Root canals will remove infected, inflamed, and/or damaged pulp from inside your tooth, at the same time preserving the root structure and as much tooth crown as possible.
When Should You See an Endodontist
An endodontist is the dental specialist you should see if you experience:
- Tooth pain which comes and goes or doesn’t go away quickly
- Injury to a tooth or any Crack or Fracture of the tooth
- Sensitivity to foods that are hot, cold, or sweet
- Gum swelling
- Facial swelling near a tooth
Periodontists Save Gums
Periodontists focus on saving your gums and creating healthy gums, rather than focusing on teeth as does an endodontist. However, a periodontist can also place dental implants.
Overall, periodontists focus on treatments including:
- Scaling and root planing, cleaning the surface of the tooth root
- Surgical procedures for severe gum infections
- Gum or bone grafting to replace missing gum or bone tissues
- Placement or replacement of dental implants
Typically, a periodontist examines your dental history and periodontal status. They can also identify loose teeth, a possible sign of periodontal disease, and measure the pockets around teeth and gums. Deep pockets usually indicate periodontal disease while shallow pockets usually indicate healthy gums.
What Treatments Do Periodontists Provide?
Periodontists provide a wide array of treatments, including antibiotic therapy. This type of treatment, as well as deep cleaning, may be offered to prevent further necessary interventions.
The typical treatment offered include:
- Laser scaling and root planing
- Dental crown lengthening
- Periodontal surgery for gum grafting
- Bone graft surgery
- Dental implants
- Periodontal pocket reduction
Your periodontist may also provide some plastic surgery techniques designed to adjust gum to tooth ratios for a more pleasing and less “gummy” smile.
Because periodontal disease can be associated with other systemic diseases such as heart disease, it’s important to maintain regular check-ups with your general dentist for regular teeth cleaning and examination to prevent and identify periodontal disease.
Ready to Learn More?
If you’re ready to learn more about the endodontic services we provide, or to schedule an appointment, reach out to us, today. We’re ready to help!