Comparing Endodontists vs Orthodontists vs Dentists: What Does Each Do & Which One Should Your Child See?

TL;DR:

Endodontists, orthodontist, and dentists all play unique roles when it comes to protecting your child’s oral health. But exactly how do dentists vs orthodontists vs endodontists differ, and how do general dentists coordinate care between different professionals? Read on to learn more. Main points you’ll discover include:

• Endodontists treat tooth pain, infections, and perform root canals
• Orthodontists straighten teeth and correct bite alignment
• General dentists provide preventive care and guide treatment decisions
• Specialists often work together for complete smile health
• Some dentists can also be orthodontists or endodontists
• Understanding these roles helps parents choose the right care quickly

What Do General & Pediatric Dentists Do?

A general dentist serves as an individual’s primary dental provider. Think of dentists as the first line of defense in oral care and prevention, providing checkups, cleanings, and taking care of overall oral health.

General dentists:

• Perform exams, cleanings, and preventive care
• Treat cavities and monitor oral development
• Identify issues early (alignment, infection, gum concerns)
• Refer patients to specialists when needed

For the purposes of this blog post, we use the term “general dentist” because there are actually numerous types of dental specialists recognized by the ADA, and orthodontists and endodontists technically fall under the category of “dental specialists”.

The type of care that most people think of when they think of visiting the dentist is what general dentists provide, and this is very different from the type of care that you receive when you visit an orthodontist or endodontist.

We also want to differentiate between general dentists and pediatric dentists because pediatric dentists provide more or less the same type of care that general dentists do, but they are far more experienced (and have specialized training) in working with children ranging in age from infants through teenagers.

That makes a pediatric dentist the best type of “general dentist” for families with little ones to visit.

What Is an Endodontist & What Do They Do?

Here’s where things start to differ greatly in scope.

Endodontists specialize in the inside of the tooth—specifically the pulp, nerves, and root canals.

If you’ve searched “What is an endodontist?” or “What does an endodontist do?”, here’s the simple answer: they treat tooth pain and infection while working to save natural teeth.

According to stats provided by the American Association of Endodontists:

• Less than 3% of dentists are endodontists
• They complete 2–3 additional years of specialized training compared to general dentists
• They are experts in diagnosing and treating tooth pain

A general or pediatric dentist may refer your child to an endodontist when:

• Tooth pain persists
• Decay reaches deep into the tooth
• Infection or swelling develops
• A tooth is damaged from trauma

It’s worth noting that there is some overlap. For instance, many general dentists can perform root canals, but endodontists handle more complex cases using advanced technology for precision and comfort. And they also do much more than only treating root canals. They also diagnose difficult pain, treat injuries, and perform retreatments.

What Does an Orthodontist vs Endodontist Do?

When comparing the difference between an orthodontist vs endodontist in regards to scope or focus of practice, the difference ultimately comes down to tooth alignment vs internal health.

While orthodontists straighten teeth and align the bite with devices such as braces or clear aligners, endodontists treat infection and save teeth. In that sense, endodontists provide a level of care that is closer to (but more specialized than) general dentists.

Meanwhile, orthodontists provide a rather different type of care, dealing with moving teeth around rather than diagnosing or treating dental disease.

In sum, orthodontists commonly treat:

• Crooked or crowded teeth
• Overbites, underbites, and crossbites
• Spacing issues
• Jaw development concerns

Does your child need help with alignment or bite issues? Explore your orthodontic options at The Super Dentists here.

At The Super Dentists, We Provide Orthodontic, Endodontic, & Pediatric Dental Care in California

At The Super Dentists, our care team works together to create a fun, positive, and coordinated experience for every patient.

We specialize in pediatric dental care and general dental care for the whole family, but we also have a wide range of dental specialists on staff, meaning that no matter whether you’re looking for an endodontist vs periodontist vs orthodontist or some other specialty, we can help!

Wondering what kinds of specialists we have on staff? Meet our doctors and crew here.

Curious about the services our various specialists provide, or ready to book an appointment? Head to our pediatric dentistry page now.