The most common endodontic procedure is a root canal, and is often performed when a tooth has become damaged or infected. Root canals are the only current dental procedure that can fully save a badly damaged tooth, or one that has become infected. To learn more about root canals, call Ideal Endodontics today.

Both endodontists and dentists are highly skilled dental professionals who specialize in treating dental conditions and optimizing oral health. Both of these professions complete a traditional four-year dental school curriculum.

To build a more finely tuned set of skills aimed at more advanced problems, endodontists choose to go on for two additional years. This includes helping save a decaying or diseased tooth, typically through a root canal procedure. During a root canal, an endodontist extracts inflamed or infected tissue that is causing significant pain or discomfort inside the tooth. The endodontist fills and seals the canal to ensure the infection does not return. People who receive this procedure may also be a candidate for a crown over the top of the tooth, as this will help increase its strength and potential biting-force without sustaining more damage.

Dentists often treat general dental problems, although they can also perform root canals. However, in complex cases or root canals that involve multiple teeth, dentists often refer these patients to more qualified professionals—endodontists.

When looking for a good endodontist, it is essential to ensure that they have:

• Specialized Training — Endodontists receive two to three years of additional education after dental school, and a commitment to continuing education is vital because the field changes so rapidly.

• A Commitment to Patient Comfort — Even for patients who have had challenges in this area in the past, endodontists are experts at managing pain and discomfort. A good endodontist will focus on each patient’s level of comfort and seek to maintain or improve it throughout all undertaken.

• Skill with Current Technologies — Over the past few decades, technological breakthroughs have revolutionized root canal treatment. An endodontist’s use of these tools can help create a quicker recovery from treatment and can also help patients experience less discomfort.

• A High Experience Level with Endodontic Procedures — Although general dentists perform an average of two root canals per week; endodontists perform an average of ten times this amount, often as many as 25 root canals every week. This means that endodontists are more familiar with the procedure and can solve different challenges if and when they should arise.

General dentists can perform root canal treatments, however they may also refer patients to an endodontist. Endodontists are dentists who have completed a university post-graduate specialty program in endodontics, which is a specialty of dentistry concerned with the treatment of the dental pulp or nerve of the tooth.

If you are looking for endodontic treatment that you can trust, come to Ideal Endodontics! Our kind and compassionate professionals are experienced in performing root canals and can help you improve the health of your teeth! We have two locations to serve you: For Virginia residents, call our office or visit our clinic conveniently located at 3102 Golansky Blvd, Suite 101, Woodbridge, VA 22192. For residents of Washington, DC, contact us to book an appointment, or visit our clinic at 1145 19th Street NW, Suite 314, Washington, DC 20036. We serve patients from Washington DC, Woodbridge VA, Arlington VA, Lorton VA, Manassas VA, Springfield VA, Alexandria VA, and Silver Spring MD. Looking forward to serve you!