The Short Answer
An endodontist is a dental specialist who completes 2–3 years of post-doctoral residency in root canal therapy, dental-pain diagnosis, and the inside of the tooth. Aloha Dental Specialty Center has a board-certified endodontist on staff — Dr. Aki Take, diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics — so cases that benefit from specialist training stay under one roof.
What Endodontic Care Covers
- Root canal therapy — primary endodontic treatment using magnification and modern nickel-titanium instrumentation
- Endodontic retreatment — for teeth where a prior root canal has failed or remained symptomatic
- Apicoectomy / endodontic microsurgery — when surgical access to the root tip is the better path
- Complex tooth-pain diagnosis — distinguishing pulpal pain from periodontal, sinus, or referred pain
- Cracked-tooth diagnosis — identifying vertical and horizontal fractures with magnification, transillumination, and CBCT
- Internal bleaching for discolored non-vital teeth
- Vital pulp therapy — pulp capping and partial pulpotomy when appropriate
When to See an Endodontist Instead of a General Dentist
For straightforward root canals, your general dentist can often complete treatment in their own office. For these situations, a board-certified endodontist gives you the best chance of saving the tooth:
- Calcified or curved canals visible on imaging
- A previous root canal that didn't resolve symptoms
- Surgical apicoectomy is needed
- The source of dental pain is unclear after a general-dentist exam
- Cracked-tooth diagnosis is required
- The tooth has unusual root anatomy or extra canals
What to Expect at the Endodontic Visit
- Diagnosis — targeted exam, pulp testing, periapical X-rays, CBCT if anatomy is unusual.
- Plan & consent — Dr. Take walks you through what's happening, the prognosis, alternatives (including extraction with implant), and cost.
- Local anesthesia — teeth that have been hurting often need additional supplemental injections; Dr. Take is patient with achieving full numbness before starting.
- Treatment — under magnification, with a rubber dam, modern files, and biocompatible filling materials.
- Follow-up — post-op instructions, a return visit to verify healing, and a note sent back to your referring dentist for the final crown.
Does a Root Canal Hurt?
The toothache before treatment is what hurts. The root canal itself, performed with modern anesthesia and an endodontist's experience, is typically no more uncomfortable than a routine filling. Most patients return to normal activity the same day; some mild tenderness for a day or two as the surrounding bone heals.
For Referring Dentists
We accept endodontic referrals from general dentists across Washington County. Treatment notes, post-op imaging, and outcome reports are sent back to your office promptly so you can plan the final restoration. Call (503) 822-0096 to refer a patient or use the referring-doctors portal.
FAQs
How much does a root canal cost?
Cost varies by tooth (anterior, premolar, or molar), complexity, and whether retreatment or surgery is involved. Our front desk will verify your dental insurance and quote your specific out-of-pocket cost before treatment.
Should I get a root canal or just extract the tooth?
When a natural tooth can be predictably saved, that is usually the better long-term outcome — nothing functions quite like your own tooth. Extraction with a dental implant is a reasonable alternative in some cases. Dr. Take will give you an honest read on prognosis and let you choose.
Is Dr. Take really board-certified?
Yes — diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics. Board certification is voluntary, earned by additional rigorous examination beyond residency, and represents the highest credential in endodontics.