5 Signs You Need to See an Endodontist
5 Signs You Made Need a Root Canal:
Severe, constant tooth pain
Swelling in the gums or face
Pain that wakes you up at night
Sensitivity that lingers after hot or cold
A dental abscess or infection
Pain when biting or chewing
If you have these symptoms, early treatment can prevent the infection from spreading.
Patient Education · Bay Endodontics Blog
5 Signs You Need to See an Endodontist
(And Why Waiting Makes It Worse)
Tooth pain is your body sending a signal. Here is how to know when it is time to see a specialist.
At Bay Endodontics, we specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the inside of your tooth. As a trusted endodontist in Easton, MD, we see patients at every stage of dental pain. The ones who come in early almost always have better outcomes.
Sign 01
You Have Persistent or Severe Tooth Pain
Not all tooth pain is the same. A mild ache after eating something cold is one thing. Pain that lingers, throbs, or wakes you up at night is another. When pain is severe or does not go away on its own, the nerve inside your tooth may be infected or damaged.
This is one of the most common reasons patients seek tooth pain treatment from a specialist. A general dentist can help with many things, but an endodontist has advanced training specifically focused on diagnosing and treating pain at its source.
Sign 02
Your Tooth Is Sensitive to Heat or Cold That Lingers
Some sensitivity to temperature is normal, especially with thinner enamel. But if the sensitivity sticks around for more than a few seconds after the hot or cold food is gone, that is a warning sign.
Lingering sensitivity usually means the pulp inside your tooth is inflamed or infected. Left untreated, the infection can spread to surrounding teeth and bone.
A root canal specialist near you can pinpoint exactly which tooth is affected and assess whether root canal therapy is the right next step.
Sign 03
You Notice Swelling, Tenderness, or a Pimple on Your Gums
A small bump on your gum that looks like a pimple is called a dental abscess or fistula. It is a sign that infection has built up and is looking for a way out. Swelling in your jaw or face is an even more urgent symptom.
These symptoms do not resolve on their own. Antibiotics may reduce the swelling temporarily, but the source of the infection inside the tooth needs to be treated directly.
Sign 04
Your Tooth Is Discolored
A tooth that has turned gray, yellow, or dark compared to the teeth around it may be showing signs of internal damage. When the pulp inside a tooth dies, it can cause the tooth to darken from the inside out.
This can happen after a traumatic injury to the mouth, even if the injury seemed minor at the time. Sometimes discoloration appears months or even years after the original trauma.
Do not dismiss a darkened tooth as a cosmetic issue. Schedule an evaluation with an endodontist in Easton, MD to find out what is happening beneath the surface.
Sign 05
Your Dentist Has Referred You to a Specialist
If your general dentist has recommended you see an endodontist, take that referral seriously. Dentists refer patients to endodontists when they recognize that the case requires a higher level of diagnostic precision or technical skill.
Endodontists complete two to three additional years of training beyond dental school, focusing entirely on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions inside the tooth. We use advanced imaging and microscopic technology to treat cases that general dentists are not equipped to handle.
Getting a referral is not cause for alarm. It is a sign your dental team is working hard to protect your smile.
Why Saving Your Natural Tooth Always Comes First
At Bay Endodontics, our philosophy is simple. Your natural tooth is always worth fighting for.
Implants and bridges are good options when a tooth cannot be saved, but nothing fully replaces the function and feel of your natural tooth. Root canal therapy has a success rate above 95% and most treated teeth last a lifetime with proper care.
When you choose to save your tooth with root canal therapy, you also:
- Preserve the natural structure and alignment of your surrounding teeth
- Avoid the higher cost of tooth replacement procedures
- Maintain your chewing function without an adjustment period
- Keep your jawbone healthy and intact
- Eliminate the source of infection before it spreads
Clinical References
- American Association of Endodontists. Endodontic Treatment Statistics. aae.org. Accessed 2024.
- Gillen BM, Looney SW, Gu L, et al. Impact of the quality of coronal restoration versus the quality of root canal fillings on success of root canal treatment. Journal of Endodontics. 2011;37(11):1536–1541. doi:10.1016/j.joen.2011.08.003
- Ng YL, Mann V, Rahbaran S, Lewsey J, Gulabivala K. Outcome of primary root canal treatment: systematic review of the literature. International Endodontic Journal. 2007;40(12):921–939. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2591.2007.01322.x
- American Association of Endodontists. Cracked Teeth. aae.org/patients/dental-symptoms/cracked-teeth. Accessed 2024.
- Andreasen JO, Andreasen FM, Andersson L, eds. Textbook and Color Atlas of Traumatic Injuries to the Teeth. 5th ed. Wiley-Blackwell; 2019.
- Hargreaves KM, Cohen S, Berman LH, eds. Cohen's Pathways of the Pulp. 10th ed. Mosby Elsevier; 2011.
Case Study: Successful Endodontic Treatment for a Cracked Tooth
Case Summary
Cracked teeth can often be preserved through endodontic treatment followed by a full-coverage restoration, such as a crown. This treatment alleviates pain and restores function and appearance.
In this case, the patient had prior heat sensitivity that subsided but later developed biting tenderness. Diagnosis: pulpal necrosis with symptomatic apical periodontitis. A crack was observed on the distal wall of the access cavity during treatment. However, no additional cracks were found. Endodontic therapy addressed the pathology, and the patient was referred back to her dentist for a full-coverage restoration—the key to long-term success!
Key Takeaway
Not all cracked teeth can be saved, but early detection and intervention are key. When identified and treated appropriately, many can be preserved with endodontic therapy and proper
We recently had an interesting case at Bay Endodontics—a great example of how timely intervention can preserve a cracked tooth.
Case Summary
Cracked teeth can often be preserved through endodontic treatment followed by a full-coverage restoration, such as a crown. This treatment alleviates pain and restores function and appearance.
In this case, the patient had prior heat sensitivity that subsided but later developed biting tenderness. Diagnosis: pulpal necrosis with symptomatic apical periodontitis. A crack was observed on the distal wall of the access cavity during treatment. However, no additional cracks were found. Endodontic therapy addressed the pathology, and the patient was referred back to her dentist for a full-coverage restoration—the key to long-term success!
Key Takeaway
Not all cracked teeth can be saved, but early detection and intervention are key. When identified and treated appropriately, many can be preserved with endodontic therapy and proper restorative care.
Please see the radiographs for reference. Let me know if you have any questions—I always appreciate the opportunity to collaborate on patient care!
Written by:
Dr. Alexis Herring, Bay Endodontics
Celebrating Dr. Alexis Herring's Board Certification!
Pictured above with Dr. Alexis Herring is Dr. Ronald C. Taylor, Board Certified Endodontist at Bay Endodontics, RCT Endodontics and Founder of Trident Endo.
🎉 It's an Exciting Day at Bay Endodontics of the Eastern Shore! 🎉
We're thrilled to announce that Dr. Alexis Herring has achieved the remarkable achievement of becoming a board-certified endodontist! This honor highlights her exceptional dedication, expertise, and commitment to delivering top-tier care to our patients.
Help us celebrate Dr. Herring's outstanding accomplishment! We are incredibly proud and lucky to have such a talented and passionate professional leading our team here at Bay Endo!
Thank you to every colleague, referral, patient, friend, and family for your support!
Launch Your Ultimate Endodontic Career and Experience the Benefits of Working at Bay Endo
Launch your endodontic career by joining our amazing Bay Endo team!
Bay Endodontics opened its doors with Top Rated Dentist, Dr. Alexis Herring at the helm in 2020. Since then, we’ve earned nearly 200 5-star Google reviews (we’ve shared a few below!) thanks to Dr. Herring’s tireless commitment to provide all her patients with a painless root canal experience.
In fact, root canal treatment has been reimagined at Bay Endo, where we combine the best care with a peaceful and safe atmosphere, supported by exceptional and friendly patient service.
As we like to say, “this is not your father’s root canal,” and we can prove it with modern technological advancements and expert specialty training in our root canal treatments. The results are virtually painless root canals performed in a relaxing environment. Our Endodontists are provided with their preferred tools and will use the latest tech in 3D imaging and ERM software.
Bay Endo: Situated in Soothing Surroundings
The comfort of our office is underscored by our physical location. For those who appreciate a country lifestyle over urban environments, Bay Endo is ideal.
Surrounded by great towns and an abundance of recreational areas, it’s easy to make our office feel like a home away from home for those who work here and for our patients.
Adding to the inviting experience of our office, Dr. Herring is known for her affable personality and warm demeanor.
“Dr Herring and her team did an amazing job!!! 5 stars doesn't do them justice!!! From the front desk staff to the girls in the back and Dr Herring herself are just so wonderful!! I have been a dental assistant for 20 plus years and chose them to do my recent root canal treatment. They're everything you want to look for in an office to do root canal treatments. From the cleanliness of the office and treatment rooms, to everyone's smiling faces and wonderful bedside manner. Thank you so much for making my root canal experience great.” -- E. Eichelman
ICYMI: Check out Dr. Alexis Herring, DDS, MSD Introducing Herself via Instagram
Voted a 2022-2023 Top Dentist on the Eastern Shore by What’s Up? Media, Dr. Herring is quick to celebrate the staff that helps make Bay Endodontics a success: “Being supported by an incredible team, allows me to provide the very best care for our patients.”
Here, she shares the personal journey that led her to become an endodontist:
“When I was in the eighth grade, I began orthodontic treatment and wore braces for three long years. After having them removed, I realized how drastically my life had changed. I did not become a complete social butterfly; however, my confidence and self-esteem rose immensely. This experience sparked my passion for dentistry. Starting dental school, my goal was to become an orthodontist. I wanted to convey the same sentiment that I had felt upon having my braces removed to someone else. Then the unthinkable happened: during my second year of dental school, the area that I once thought to be the least interesting took me by surprise. I fell in love with the field of endodontics. I soon found that through quality treatment I could improve my patients’ quality of life and comfort. What I had once wanted to do for my patients with orthodontics I could do successfully with endodontics.”
Discover more about Dr. Herring’s professional and personal background here: https://www.bay-endo.com/dralexisherring
“Dr. Herring is the absolute best! Her entire staff is amazing as well! The first time I needed an emergency root canal, she got me in the same day! That was my first root canal, and I was scared, but it wasn’t bad at all! So when I needed a second root canal, I went to her again, another good experience today! I highly recommend!!!” -- R. Gresham
We are Searching for Endodontic Talent
to Join the Team
Right now, Dr. Herring is recruiting talented endodontists to collaborate with her on delivering such outstanding endodontic care that our patients flood our doors with referrals. The ideal collaborator in this role will embody a strong commitment to the company's core values and brand principles, while providing exceptional care to our patients.
After all, an endodontic group's success requires a team of people who are committed, collaborative, and creative in order to continuously deliver excellent patient experiences.
What does the job entail, specifically?
The ideal endodontist to join the Bay Endo team will be in charge of patient consultations, endodontic treatments, and follow-ups, all of which go hand in hand with our brand's mission to put the patient first.
Who are We Looking for?
The ideal candidate to continue building Bay Endo alongside Dr. Herring will have the following professional credentials and personal attributes:
Doctor of Medical Dentistry (DMD) degree or a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree
Successful completion of an accredited endodontics program
Board certification in endodontics preferred
Current Maryland State Dental License
CPR/BLS Certification is required Technical proficiency with CBCT scan
Dedication to ensuring the highest quality of care to patients
Ultimately, the team at Bay Endo wants to redefine the root canal experience into something more like getting a spa treatment.
“Dr. Herring is definitely an advanced endodontist. She gently treated my badly infected tooth. Puts me at ease, very concerned and caring. Nice office with updated technology and a lovely staff!” -- B. Thompson
In addition to the talent and team outlined above, why should you consider working here?
Benefits of Being a Part of the Team at Bay Endo
First of all, we aren’t corporate. We are private.
What does this really mean?
Simply that your opinion matters and we support our endodontic professionals to ensure they meet their career goals.
To that end, we offer the following:
Flexible working hours
Mentorship throughout first few years of employment
Daily minimum guarantee
Partnership Opportunity
New Microscopes and CBCT technologies
Top Notch, loyal and dedicated support team
Established referral base providing a consistent flow of patients
Beautiful, newly redesigned practices and a family-friendly environment
As a Bay Endo endodontist, you will be eligible for the following financial incentives:
Earn 45% of Collections
Full time could earn $400k+ annually
Part time could earn $250k+ annually
+98% collection rate
4% Matching 401(k)
Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance Plans, HSA Offered
Short/Long Term disability insurance and company paid life insurance
$3,000 Annual CE Stipend
Embark on Your Ultimate Endodontic Career Today!
Discover more about the work-life balance reflected at Bay Endodontics -- the ideal destination from which to launch the endodontic career of your dreams.
Already feeling motivated to work in a place where you can really make a difference?
Let’s get started!
Great Times at Bay Endo’s Open House
Bay Endodontics is Proud to be Serving Easton, and the Eastern Shore Communities with Modern, Painless, Convenient Endodontic Specialty Treatments.
Thank you to all referrals, friends, and family that came out to our Open House celebration! It was truly a pleasure to have you with us as we celebrated this special occasion.
The Open House was a resounding success, thanks in no small part to your presence. We wanted to take a moment to recap the highlights of the event and express our appreciation for your support.
First and foremost, the food at the event was nothing short of amazing. The delicious BBQ catered by Hot Off the Coals left everyone's taste buds satisfied, and the blue margaritas added a refreshing twist to the evening. We hope our guests enjoyed the culinary delights as much as we did!
One of the highlights of the event was the time Dr. Herring got to spend mingling with all our attendees. It provided a wonderful opportunity for personal connections and allowed everyone to gain further insight into her expertise and passion for endodontics.
To mark the significance of the occasion, we held a ribbon-cutting ceremony. It was a special moment as we commemorated the Bay Endodontics Open House, and the presence of our amazing team and referrals made it all the more memorable.
We look forward to reconnecting with more of our referrals at the next Bay Endodontics event!