Endodontist Meaning: What an Endodontist Does

Endo means inside and odont means tooth. In India the degree is the MDS in Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, taken after a BDS. It is one of the branches covered in our guide to the types of dentists.

The same branch also covers fillings and restoring damaged teeth, which is why the full name has two parts.

Endodontists treat the pulp, the nerve and blood supply inside a tooth, when it is infected or damaged. That includes first-time root canal treatment, retreatment of a root canal that has failed, teeth with blocked or unusual canals, instruments broken inside a canal, cracked teeth that are hard to diagnose, and root-end surgery.

A root canal is often followed by a crown; see whether you need a crown after a root canal. Pain is the usual reason people come, though our guide on whether a root canal hurts explains what to expect.

A general dentist can do root canals legally and competently in India, and does most of them. For an ordinary first root canal on a tooth with a clear diagnosis, there is usually no need to look further.

Referral is typical for a root canal that has failed or become painful again, canals that cannot be found or negotiated, a broken instrument, an unusual root shape, or a suspected crack. An examination and X-ray tell you which category you are in. If you want the local view, see the page on the root canal specialist in Lucknow.

Facial swelling that is spreading, fever, or difficulty swallowing or breathing needs same-day care, and a hospital emergency if breathing or swallowing is affected, whoever treats the tooth.

Ask for the degree, an MDS in Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, and the State Dental Council registration number. Registration is public record. A dentist who does many root canals is not automatically an endodontist; the MDS is what defines the title.