While orthodontists are the specialists to see if your teeth and jaw are misaligned or if you need procedures to improve your bite, endodontists are experts in treating root canal issues in the teeth. Anyone of any age who suffers from misalignment problems, including an underbite, overbite, or crowding of the teeth, would go to an orthodontist to receive treatment for the actual movement and alignment of the jaw. Endodontists focus more on concerns within the structure of the tooth itself and are most commonly associated with root canal procedures or any other surgical procedure taking place underneath the gum tissue.

Your dentist may recommend that you visit an endodontist if you are suffering from a problem that can be traced back to the inside or roots of your teeth. Problems such as these can occur if you have experienced a trauma or accident that has affected your mouth and teeth, or if you are suffering from severe tooth pain. The most common reason that you would visit an endodontist is to receive a root canal, as the average endodontist treats upwards of 25 root canals on a weekly basis and they are the most effective way of treating most severe tooth problems. While your dentist may be qualified to offer a root canal, most dentists will not have nearly as much experience or the capacity to perform root canals as you would have with an endodontist.

Even though root canals are commonly used to treat severe cavities, there is still a chance that you will develop another cavity on the same tooth after the root canal procedure is completed and all bacteria have been cleaned out and removed from the tooth. However, this will likely only happen if proper precautions are not taken to ensure that the treated tooth is protected. Cavities occur most frequently from poor dental hygiene and habits, which allow for plaque and tartar to build up on the tooth, trapping bacteria that will eventually eat away at the enamel and cause severe damage to the tooth if left untreated. Cavities lead to tooth decay, and if that decay reaches the nerve tissue inside the tooth, a root canal is most likely the best course of action to avoid having to pull out the tooth entirely. Having a root canal done to a tooth does not make it unable to develop cavities or gum disease again down the line, so it is important to always follow the hygienic recommendations provided by your dentist or dental professional to avoid having to endure more dental procedures down the road. Most of the time, a cavity on a tooth that has previously undergone a root canal can be treated and the tooth can continue to be saved, but there are some cases where the damage to the tooth is so severe that the entire tooth will just need to be pulled.

Anyone who consumes a high quantity of sugar and carbohydrates is more at risk of suffering from tooth decay that is severe enough to require a root canal. There are also some genetic factors that can cause you to have less or weakened enamel, putting you at a higher risk of suffering from tooth decay. While suffering from severe tooth decay that would require a root canal as treatment can occur at any age, it is more common among those aged 12 to 65 years old, and more specifically, for those who are anywhere in their mid-twenties to mid-forties. Dental hygiene is important at every age to ensure that tooth decay can be prevented.

If you have any additional questions, please contact our professionals, who will assist you. Contact us for more information or schedule an appointment online. We have convenient locations to serve you in Washington, DC, and Woodbridge, VA. We serve patients from Washington DC, Woodbridge VA, Arlington VA, Lorton VA, Manassas VA, Springfield VA, Alexandria VA, and Silver Spring MD.