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Endodontist vs. orthodontist: Do you know the difference between the two dental specialties? It’s easy to mix up the “endo” and the “ortho” — after all, they both work on teeth, right? While an endodontist dives deep into the inner workings of your tooth, an orthodontist focuses on straightening your smile. Both are necessary for a healthy mouth, but their roles couldn’t be more different.
What Is an Endodontist vs. an Orthodontist?
An endodontist deals with the inside of the tooth, and their main role is saving damaged or infected teeth. To become an endodontist, a dentist completes two to three additional years of training after dental school, focusing specifically on advanced methods in root canal therapy and other related procedures.
Orthodontists, on the other hand, specialize in aligning teeth and jaws to improve their function and appearance. They also undergo two to three years of extra training to learn about biomechanics, facial development, and alignment correction techniques.
Why Would a Dentist Recommend an Endodontist?
A dentist would recommend an endodontist if you have severe tooth pain, persistent sensitivity, or an infection deep in the tooth’s pulp. Endodontists address these issues by performing root canal treatments, treating tooth pain, and fixing cracked teeth.
Here are some common reasons a dentist might refer you to an endodontist.
To Treat a Damaged Tooth
An endodontist will assess the extent of pulp or root canal damage or infection with a symptom review, physical examination, and diagnostic imaging. The process, commonly called a root canal, follows like this:
- Drill a small hole to access the inner tooth and remove damaged or infected tissue.
- Thoroughly clean, shape, and disinfect the root canals to eliminate bacteria.
- Fill and seal the empty root canals with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha to prevent reinfection.
Finally, your endodontist places a temporary filling in the access hole so your general dentist can complete the restoration, usually with a crown.
To Save a Tooth After Injury
An endodontist can use a variety of procedures to save an injured tooth. For cracked teeth, they may perform a root canal to prevent further damage. If the crack is too deep, the tooth may be harder to save but can sometimes be stabilized with a crown.
Your endodontist can replant a knocked-out tooth if you handle it properly and get treatment quickly, usually within an hour. They clean the tooth and its socket, replant it, and secure it with a splint.
If the injury is too extensive and the tooth needs extraction, your endodontist may refer you to a periodontist afterward for an implant procedure to replace it.
To Treat Resorption
Endodontists also treat resorption, a condition where the immune system mistakenly breaks down parts of a tooth due to trauma or infection. This involves root canal therapy combined with restoration to preserve the tooth structure.
To Diagnose Persistent Pain
If your dentist has trouble diagnosing persistent pain, endodontists can help pinpoint the source. Using specialized training and advanced tools, such as 3D imaging, they can detect hairline cracks or uncover infections.
To Retreat Teeth With Recurring Infections
Endodontists often retreat teeth that have previously undergone root canals but have developed new or recurring infections. This involves reopening the tooth, disinfecting the canals, and resealing them.
Why Would a Dentist Recommend an Orthodontist?
If your dentist notices unusual teeth or jaw alignment, they’ll recommend visiting an orthodontist instead of an endodontist to address the issue. Treatment options include braces, clear aligners, and other devices to straighten teeth, correct bite problems, and fix jaw alignment issues.
Orthodontic care can be beneficial no matter how old you are. However, the best time to start seeing an orthodontist is around age 7 because they can detect problematic signs early and treat them more effectively.
To Fix Bite Problems
Braces are the most common treatments for bite problems, also known as malocclusions. The process involves attaching metal brackets to each tooth and linking them with a wire to apply uniform pressure on the teeth and shift them into more desirable positions.
Your orthodontist may also use elastics to exert consistent pressure on specific areas to treat bite issues. For example, elastics can help correct an overbite by attaching the upper canines to the lower molars to encourage the upper teeth to move backward and the lower teeth forward.
Clear aligners are a less conspicuous alternative to braces. They are sets of custom-made removable trays that gradually shift teeth into alignment. They can correct various bite issues, including crossbites.
To Help With Jaw Alignment Issues
Your orthodontist can use specialized treatments to address jaw misalignment, which often plays a significant role in bite issues. One option involves functional appliances like the mandibular anterior repositioning appliance. The MARA appliance works by repositioning the lower jaw forward, aligning it more accurately with the upper jaw.
Orthodontists also use palatal expanders to create more space for teeth alignment. Expanders gently apply pressure to the palatal bones to slowly increase the width of the upper jaw.
Some adult patients have narrow palates due to fused mid-palatal sutures, and traditional expansion methods aren’t enough. In these cases, orthodontists can team up with oral surgeons to perform surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion. SARPE combines surgical cuts to the maxillary bone with orthodontic expanders.
Can I Get a Root Canal With Braces?
Yes, you can undergo a root canal treatment while wearing braces. Your orthodontist will coordinate to ensure the braces do not block access. In some cases, your orthodontist may have to temporarily adjust or remove the wire or bracket near the tooth.
It is also possible to receive a crown if you have braces. In some instances, it may be better to complete the orthodontic treatment before placing a permanent crown to accommodate any changes in tooth positioning. Alternatively, a temporary crown can be placed until your braces come off, with a permanent one fitted afterward.
Choosing an Endodontist vs. Orthodontist
There is a whole team of medical professionals whose job is to keep your teeth and mouth healthy. The next time your dentist refers you to an endodontist or orthodontist, you’ll know exactly who’s diving into the trenches of your tooth or aligning your pearly whites for the long haul.
Visit Peterson Family Orthodontics for skilled and professional orthodontic treatments. Contact us for a complimentary consultation today.