Periodontists and Endodontists: What Are the Differences?

There are numerous types of dental specialists, which is why it’s easy to not know the differences between them and which to choose when you need specified care. (And it doesn’t help that many of their titles end in “dontist.”)

Rockville Centre for Dentistry’s team of skilled periodontalprofessionals is ready to go to work for you to provide the highest quality of proficient and compassionate care. We perform treatments with the utmost precision and a gentle touch. 

Many people wonder how endodontists and periodontists differ from each other. Before we clarify, know that endodontists and periodontists are dentists who have the same skills and credentials as general dentists but also up to three years of additional accredited education in their specialties. If they want to become a board-certified specialist, they earn accreditation from their respective professional associations: the American Academy of Periodontology and the American Board of Endodontics. 

Periodontists: Think of them as the plastic surgeons of dentistry. Their focuses are gums and the bone that support teeth. Their extra education focuses on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease, as well as oral inflammation and in the placement of dental implants. The periodontist typically sees severe, complex cases that require a dental professional beyond a general dentist.

Endodontists: They concentrate on preserving a tooth’s viability. To that end, they carry out surgeries and procedures on a tooth’s root and pulp. When general dentists perform root canal therapy (RCT), it’s usually on teeth with only one (or sometimes) two roots. RCT on teeth with three roots should be done by an endodontist. General dentists refer almost 50 percent of their patients who need RCT to endodontists. Patients with face or mouth traumas or acute swelling around their teeth are also referred to endodontists. 

At the office of Rockville Centre for Dentistry, our main mission is to provide you with the ultimate endodontic care. Our offices are clean and hygienic, so you needn’t be concerned with contamination issues. If you feel apprehensive about your appointment, we’re highly experienced at putting patients at ease so they can relax and receive the care they need. Please contact us today to make an appointment.