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What does an Endodontist do?

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Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

An endodontist is a dentist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the pulp or nerve of the tooth.

Endodontist job duties include:

  • Examine teeth, using dental instruments, x-rays, and other diagnostic equipment, to determine the nature and extent of diseases or abnormalities.
  • Clean and shape canals using hand, rotary, and laser instruments.
  • Place fillings or seals in the root canal.
  • Remove tooth structure with hand, rotary, and laser instruments.
  • Repair cracked teeth and place crowns.
  • Perform endodontic surgery.
  • Educate patients on oral healthcare.
  • Keep detailed records of treatments.
  • Sterilize equipment and maintain a clean work environment.

Endodontist Job Requirements

An Endodontist is a dentist who specializes in the treatment of the pulp and root canal of the tooth. They must have completed dental school and have a DDS or DMD degree. In addition, they must complete a two- to three-year residency program in endodontics. Some states require Endodontists to be licensed.

Endodontist Skills

  • Root canal therapy
  • Apicoectomy
  • Endodontic retreatment
  • Pulpectomy
  • Pulpotomy
  • Root canal fillings
  • Dental trauma care
  • Cracked tooth repair
  • Internal root resorption treatment
  • External root resorption treatment
  • Calcified canals treatment
  • Obturating materials

Related: Top Endodontist Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become an Endodontist

Endodontists are dentists who specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases of the pulp, or the soft tissue inside the tooth. They use a variety of techniques and tools to clean out the infected pulp and save the tooth.

If you’re interested in becoming an endodontist, you’ll need to complete four years of dental school followed by two to three years of specialized training in endodontics. During your training, you’ll learn how to perform root canals, diagnose oral diseases, and treat patients with special needs.

After completing your training, you’ll need to pass both a written and clinical exam administered by the American Board of Endodontics in order to become certified. Once you’re certified, you can start your own practice or join an existing one.

Endodontists play an important role in keeping teeth healthy and functional. If you’re interested in a career that allows you to help others while using your creativity and problem-solving skills, then endodontics may be the right field for you.

Related: Endodontist Resume Example

Related: Endodontist Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

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Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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