We know how frustrating it can be to have to jump from specialist to specialist to help find a solution to any medical problem, and this can include dental problems. With so many specialists to choose from, how are you supposed to know who to see? 

When you are dealing with dental problems, you may wonder if you should see an endodontist or a dentist to address your concerns. Both care for and seek to improve your dental health, but is there a time when you should see an endodontist?

Our team at David G. Johnson, DDS, wants you to know what the difference between dentists and endodontists so you know when to see each of these dental practitioners. 

What Is A Dentist?

A dentist is a dental professional who specializes in general health and treatment of the teeth, gums, and mouth. They provide a wide variety of services but focus mainly on maintaining the health of your mouth. For many, a dentist is their first point of contact if they suspect they are dealing with a dental problem. Dentists can diagnose problems and suggest treatment plans for these problems, though they may refer you to another practitioner if the problem you are dealing with is more complex and requires specialized knowledge. 

What Is An Endodontist?

An endodontist is a dental professional who is trained to diagnose and treat problems with the dental pulp and root of the tooth. They are experts at performing root canals, a procedure that treats inflamed or infected dental pulp to help prevent tooth rot and abscess formation. This expertise is because of the additional education they receive to become an endodontist. They are also familiar with more complex dental problems, including dental trauma, cracked teeth, and infection spreading beyond the dental pulp and into the root of the tooth and surrounding tissue. 

Should You See An Endodontist Or Dentist?

If you are looking for cleanings and dental exams, you should see a dentist. If you are experiencing pain or sensitivity from your teeth or gums and are uncertain of the cause, you should see a dentist. They will perform an exam and determine the cause of the discomfort. They may also provide you with a treatment plan to improve your oral health. However, they may determine the problem is too complex and suggest seeing a specialist, like an endodontist. 

You should see an endodontist if your dentist recommends it based on their assessment of your teeth. However, you don’t need a dentist’s referral to see an endodontist. In fact, if you experience dental trauma, like losing a tooth in an accident, you should probably schedule with an endodontist as soon as possible. They have the ability to save the tooth and can help you skip unnecessary steps. 

Should You See An Endodontist For A Root Canal?

While you can see your dentist for a root canal procedure, we still recommend that you see an endodontist. We recommend this because your endodontist has to complete specialized training to earn this title and have much more experience dealing with problems such as root canals.  You may also feel more comfortable going to see an endodontist because they perform root canals more regularly than your dentist. 

Because this is the most substantial portion of the treatments your endodontist provides, they have plenty of experience that makes them an expert at the procedure. When you see an endodontist for your root canal, you can also trust that they have all the best tips and advice to make this process as smooth as possible for you. Dental procedures are already very nerve-racking.

By going to see an endodontist, you can take away some of the unnecessary nerves that come with these dental procedures and feel more confident in the process. With all of their experience, your endodontist should do an amazing job of making this process comfortable and have the highest success rate of saving your tooth from unexpected damage or loss. 

See An Endodontist You Can Trust

If you want to see an endodontist, you should look for one with years of experience. Our endodontist, David G. Johnson, DDS, has been practicing endodontics since 1990 and is confident that he can help you through any dental problems, no matter how complex. With plenty of experience and a great team behind him, our practice is ready to serve you. If you have a root canal and would like to schedule an appointment with our team, reach out to us at our Centerville or Layton location today. 

As with many dental procedures, there are many myths about root canals that may scare people out of seeking treatment. In order to overcome the fear and anxiety surrounding a root canal, it is crucial that you understand each myth about root canals. 

Treatment for root canals is essential to maintaining proper oral health and protecting the tooth from spreading infection, abscesses, or need for extraction. If you are feeling unsure about an upcoming root canal, check out some of the myths below to quell your unease. 

1. Root Canals Are Painful

Once upon a time, a root canal procedure could be incredibly uncomfortable for anyone receiving it, which is why this myth about root canals still lingers. But, as we have already covered in a previous blog, it is essential to know that with modern technological and anesthetic advancements, root canals should not be painful. The pain you experience before a root canal should be the worst pain you encounter through the process. 

When your endodontist performs your root canal, you may experience mild discomfort immediately following the procedure. However, mild pain medication and proper aftercare should alleviate any discomfort you may feel The amount of time required for minor pain to go away varies from person to person but should go away in less than a week. 

2. You Should Just Pull The Tooth 

If you are on the fence about receiving a root canal, you may think it is best to pull the tooth. With tooth extraction, you may believe you can skip any irritation following a root canal. However, this myth about root canals is not right. Removing a tooth should not be your first thought when your endodontist tells you that you need to get a root canal performed. 

Your endodontist will not suggest pulling the tooth; you should not consider this option. If it is possible, your dental team will always recommend saving the tooth. The success rate of endodontic treatments is high, and you may not experience any problems with the tooth for the remainder of your life. This success rate means you should only pull the tooth if your endodontist recommends it. 

3. Root Canals Require Extensive Treatment

There is a myth about root canals that they will require extensive treatment. You may also believe root canals require several appointments with your endodontist. However, this is not necessarily true.

The treatment for a root canal can be completed in as little as 60 to 90 minutes. Some root canals may require two or more appointments, but the amount of treatment needed depends on the infection level you are experiencing. Many root canals only require one short appointment before you are on the road to recovery, so you should consider this myth about root canals moot. 

4. You Can Get Sick Because Of Your Root Canal

Almost a century ago, a study was conducted that concluded individuals receiving a root canal could experience illness shortly after the procedure. However, our understanding of modern medication and the contracting and spreading of illness has grown exponentially since then, which is why this myth about root canals is false. 

There is no connection between receiving a root canal and contracting illnesses. Correctly performed root canals remove any harmful bacteria from the tooth. The treatment contains any bacteria in the tooth and does not spread elsewhere. You should consult your endodontist about antibiotic recommendations if you are concerned with potential illness or irritation following your root canal. 

5. My Tooth Doesn’t Hurt, So I Don’t Need A Root Canal

Maybe you have gone to the dentist or endodontist, and they recommend receiving a root canal even though you are not experiencing any irritation from the tooth. You may think without feeling any pain in your tooth, you do not need a root canal. While we understand that without any physical irritation, you may think this is true, this is another incorrect myth about root canals.

If you are receiving the professional recommendation that you need a root canal, it is something you should consider. Your dentist or endodontist may notice things you do not see externally, including the loss of bone. If this is the case, you should trust the opinion of the professionals and seek treatment. 

6. A Root Canal Involves The Removal Of Your Tooth’s Root

There is a myth about root canals that they may consist of the removal of your tooth’s root. However, this is not the case, and it is important to understand how a root canal is performed to understand. 

If you need a root canal, it is likely because your tooth is experiencing rot that has reached the pulp. When performing a root canal, your endodontist will remove the pulp, which reaches down into the root of your tooth. Then, they will clean and fill the canals that have been emptied. The root of the tooth is kept intact throughout the process. 

Overcoming The Myth About Root Canals With David G. Johnson, DDS. 

If you need a root canal, we hope that our clarification of each myth about root canals has put you at ease. To put you even more at ease, you should look for help from an experienced endodontist who can make the process easy for you. In practice since 1990, Dr. David G. Johnson, DDS, is an experienced endodontist who can help you through the entire root canal process. If you are interested in scheduling a root canal with us or have any questions for our team, contact us today at our Layton or Centerville locations. 

It’s a common misconception that teeth are bones. It makes sense: both are white, hard, and contain calcium. If you think that teeth are bones, it’s no wonder why you’d be confused about why teeth can’t heal themselves the same way that bones can. However, similar as they may be, there are key differences between teeth and bones. 

Why Aren’t Teeth Bones?

Both teeth and bones have calcium and are the hardest substances in your body. However, as similar as they appear to be, teeth and bones are actually made of different substances. While bones can regenerate and heal themselves, teeth can’t, which is why you can need fillings, root canals, crowns, and more. 

What Are Bones Made Of?

Bones are made out of living tissue, with protein collagen and calcium phosphate. They also have marrow, which produces blood cells. Since bones are living tissue, this means that they’re constantly being regenerated and remodeled, similar to how your skin regenerates itself every 28 days. When old tissue is broken down, new tissue replaces it. This is why when you break a bone, it can heal itself. 

What Are Teeth Made Of?

While bones are constantly remaking themselves, teeth can’t do this. This is because teeth aren’t made of living tissue. Rather, they’re made of enamel, dentin, cementum, and pulp. While teeth can undergo a process called remineralization, they can’t heal naturally. This is why if you have tooth decay, cracked teeth, or other types of tooth damage, it needs fillings and other types of dental treatments. 

Why Don’t Teeth Regenerate?

Teeth and bones aren’t the same, however… There are animals that can indeed regenerate their teeth, similar to how bones can be regenerated. 

Geckos regrow all of their teeth every 3-4 months, so they are constantly getting new sets of teeth. Sharks can have as many as 3000 teeth and lose about 100 a day. Horses don’t regrow their teeth, but their teeth are constantly growing, which is why horse owners need to have their horses floated every year or so (floating is when the teeth are ground down to a good length).   

So, if in some animals, both teeth and bones can regrow or remodel themselves, why isn’t this the case in humans? Why do humans only get two sets of teeth in their lifetime, while the human skeleton completely remodels itself every 10 years? 

Why Human Teeth Don’t Regenerate

You can thank evolution for the fact that humans only get two sets of teeth in their lifetime. The fact that teeth and bones are different and that our teeth don’t regenerate is actually something that was evolutionarily advantageous. 

In short, it comes down to diet. The reason why creatures like geckos are constantly regrowing their teeth is because they need to. In order to catch and hold onto prey, their teeth need to be the same shape and size. In order to prevent wear and tear, their teeth just replace themselves. 

Mammals have teeth adapted to their diets. For instance, horses are grazers. They’re constantly eating. Their teeth can naturally get ground down, so that’s why their teeth are constantly growing. 

Humans have a diverse diet as omnivores. We need to be able to bite, cut, and grind with our teeth. In order to do this efficiently, your teeth need to match up. This is why dental problems like overbites and crossbites need correction. It is theorized that the reason why we only get our baby teeth and our adult teeth is to prevent the possibility of misalignment with regrown teeth. 

Could Teeth Be Regrown In The Future?

If you’ve wished teeth and bones were more similar in how they can be regrown, this could be an option in the future. Scientists have used stem cells in order to help rats and mice regrow tooth tissue in damaged teeth. No human tests have been done yet, but in the future, there is the possibility that stem cells could be used to help restore damaged teeth tissue. 

However, this is just a potential for the future. Since teeth and bones are different, if you have dental problems, you’ll need to see a dentist in order to have them fixed, lest you end up losing your tooth and needing to replace it with an implant. Teeth cannot heal naturally the way that bones can.

Do You Need Endodontic Treatment?

David G. Johnson, DDS, provides endodontic services for everything from root canals to dental trauma. If you need endodontic treatment, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.