Can an Endodontist Diagnose Tooth Pain?

An endodontist is a dental specialist with the advanced education and training to treat diseases and infections within a tooth's structure. Patients usually seek endodontic care when standard treatment cannot address tooth pain.

What is endodontic dentistry?

The ultimate goal of endodontic dentistry involves saving natural teeth. To that end, endodontists typically perform three procedures within a tooth's internal structure to avoid extraction.

Root canal therapy

Endodontists perform root canal therapy more than any other procedure. The treatment involves drilling a hole through a tooth to access, remove, and treat infection within the root canal. After removing the canal's infected pulp and nerves, dental filler is added to keep out bacteria.

Apicoectomy therapy

Sometimes root canal therapy does not eliminate pain, and an apicoectomy is necessary. The procedure involves clearing infection from the root tip and within root canals that are invisible on X-rays. It requires the practitioner to make an incision in the gum and remove some of the bone.

Cracked teeth treatment

Teeth can crack above or below the gum line, causing infection and pain. Possible treatments involve crowning, root canal, or apicoectomy therapy.

How can an endodontist diagnose tooth pain?

Endodontists complete additional years of dental school to obtain the skills necessary to diagnose and treat the cause of tooth pain that may not be apparent to other dentists. In addition, these practitioners have the skills to detect nuances of the following symptoms, which are vital for formulating an effective treatment plan.

Pain when biting and chewing

Patients who experience sharp pain while biting or chewing may have teeth with pulp damage or cracks below the gum line. An endodontic examination coupled with X-rays can confirm a diagnosis to ensure the appropriate treatment.  

Tooth discoloration

Bacteria can destroy a tooth's pulp and cause a pus-filled pocket to form at a root's tip as bacteria move through the root canal. This process often causes tissue death, leading to tooth discoloration. Extensive training enables an endodontist to diagnose an internal tooth infection as an underlying cause of pain based on the type and extent of tooth discoloration. 

Fleeting or lingering sensitivity to hot and cold food and beverages

Tooth sensitivity upon contact with hot and cold substances has many causes. Endodontic training is critical for diagnosing tooth sensitivity due to pulp inflammation and can salvage a compromised tooth.  

Persistent head, neck, or earache

Pain from a tooth abscess can radiate to the head, neck, or ear. Endodontic training helps a practitioner detect an infection causing radial pain, even with slight tooth pain. Further exploration with X-rays can confirm suspicions of an inner tooth abscess or jaw infection.

Pain following root canal treatment

Endodontic training pinpoints the reason for patients' ongoing pain following standard root canal treatment, which should eliminate it. In addition, the provider relies upon experience and knowledge to diagnose pain when evidence of compromised tissue escapes diagnostic imaging.

Conclusion

When a general dentist has difficulty diagnosing a patient's tooth pain, an endodontist often has the training and knowledge necessary to confirm its cause. A proper assessment of tooth pain is essential to ensure effective treatment and avoid further complications.

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