Endodontics is a field of dentistry that deals with the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of pulp-related diseases of the teeth. An endodontist primary area of focus will be to provide treatment to any signs of decay to the pulp of the teeth. The dental pulp is the part at the center of the tooth beneath the enamel which is composed of connective tissues. Dr. Robert P. Olson, Doctor of Dental Surgery performs oral and maxillofacial surgeries. He is trained to perform restoration of crowns, correct TMD, and root canal therapy for patients. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ENDODONTIST AND A REGULAR DENTIST? Endodontists are dentists who are specialized to treat dental problems related to the pulp of the teeth. An endodontist will be required to complete an extra few years of practice in this field. It is a mandatory requirement for an endodontist to be licensed in the state where he or she practices. Endodontist must also be diligent to be up-to-date with current methods of treatment. What sets apart an Endodontist from a regular dentist is that the former must perform an average of 25 root canal treatments per week as compared to the latter. Dr. Olson is a trained and licensed dentist who is a member of the American Dental Association (ADA), California Dental Association (CDA), and San Mateo County Dental Association. Olson Dental at San Mateo, CA is equipped with the state-of-the-art technology and instruments to provide their patients with the excellent dental care services. WHAT IS THE ROLE OF AN ENDODONTIST? An Endodontist’s main area of focus is to treat patients whose dental pulp may have signs of infection causing it to decay and inflame. Root canal treatment is needed when the pulp gets inflamed or infected. A root canal therapy can be performed to subside the inflammation and discard the infection. The complication that arises due to a decaying pulp could be a deep tooth decay. Endodontists are also trained to treat gum diseases of the teeth that can also result in root canal problems.