Becoming an Endodontist
The endodontic specialty is a part of dentistry that is more challenging than most other specialties. The biggest reason is that Endodontists deal with emergencies of pulpal diseases and dental pain inside the tooth. Patients are referred to the Endodontist for tooth pain, so time is of the essence to find the root of the issue and provide a solution. Their job commonly involves Root Canal Procedures, which 15 million Americans undergo annually according to AAE, in addition to treating traumatic teeth injury, gingivitis, and cosmetic dental work.
Does it seem like a good career for you? Let’s have a look at how to become an Endodontist…
How to Become an Endodontist?
The path to becoming an Endodontist starts from acquiring a bachelors degree in biological sciences such as chemistry and physiology.
After completing their BS, endodontists apply to dentistry school to receive a DMD or DDS degree. This is a four-year journey where they learn the basics of dental studies in the first two years and then practice what they’ve learned with experts in the second two years.
When they graduate from Dental School, they apply for licensure with the American Dental Association after passing two exams from the National Board of Dental Examinations – the first one a written exam and the second focusing on clinical skills.
After becoming a dentist, they can choose to specialize in a specific field, such as Endodontics. This step requires enrolling in an Endodontic Residency program, where they are trained by experts and certified Endodontists to specialize in Endodontic therapy.
The final step includes becoming Board Certified bypassing the Board Certification Exam for Endodontics.
Endodontic residency is the most important step where future Endodontists are immersed in the clinical side of the specialty, learning everything related to Endodontic therapy.
How can an Endodontist Help Me?
With years of education and clinical experience, an Endodontist is ready to care for complex issues in your teeth. In addition to root canals, an Endodontic dentist also provides root canal retreatments for root canals that did not take the first time, Apicoectomies that deal with issues in the tooth root, as well as traumatic dental injuries. Your endodontist uses technology to care for your teeth, such as high-powered microscopes and Cone Beam CT scanning.
More Questions about Endodontics?
Call Empire Dental Specialty Group has several board-certified, highly-reviewed Endodontists to provide care for your dental pain. If you were referred by your dentist for an Endodontic follow-up or have been dealing with tooth pain, schedule an appointment at either of our Beavercreek and West Chester offices. Our Endodontic team is great to work with and can answer any questions about potential treatment options.
