{"id":191,"date":"2026-02-04T18:03:30","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T18:03:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.endodonticsworcester.com\/blog\/?p=191"},"modified":"2026-02-10T18:10:06","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T18:10:06","slug":"should-i-see-an-emergency-dentist-or-an-endodontist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.endodonticsworcester.com\/blog\/2026\/02\/04\/should-i-see-an-emergency-dentist-or-an-endodontist\/","title":{"rendered":"From Root Canal to Relief: Why See an Endodontist?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Dental pain can be sudden, intense, and often impossible to ignore. But when a toothache strikes, it\u2019s not always clear where you need to go for help, and many patients wonder if it\u2019s better to see an emergency dentist or a specialist such as an endodontist. The short answer is, while some emergency dentists are perfectly capable of performing root canals<\/a> to save infected teeth, some situations warrant the care of an endodontist. Here\u2019s what you need to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Emergency Dentists Can Perform Root Canals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Infected, painful teeth are serious situations that don\u2019t normally heal on their own. They can also cause complications, possibly even leading to the tooth being lost. Thankfully, root canals are often one of the best ways of saving a troubled tooth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Better yet, emergency dentists are usually qualified to perform root canals\u2014in fact, they\u2019re one of the most commonly performed procedures in all of dentistry, with over 15 million being carried out every year. The process is simple; a small opening is made in the infected tooth to access the source of the infection, the compromised tissue is removed, and the tooth is filled and sanitized before a crown is placed to protect it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When an Endodontist Might Be Recommended<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Endodontists are dental specialists who focus on diagnosing and treating issues inside the teeth, like those affecting the pulp or roots. After dental school, endodontists complete additional years of specialized training focused on root canals and other similar procedures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your tooth infection is spreading, if you\u2019re dealing with an abscess or significant swelling, or the tooth in question has a complex root system, you may be referred to an endodontist. But to give you an idea of what symptoms to look for, some common signs you may need a root canal include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n