If you have problems with your teeth, you may be wondering whether you should see an endodontist or a dentist, or what even the difference between endodontists and dentists is. Both endodontists and dentists take care of your oral health and can perform procedures in order to treat oral health concerns, however, they have different specialties. Here is what you need to know about the difference between endodontists and dentists.

What Is A Dentist?

A dentist is essentially like your primary care physician, but for your oral health. You see a dentist every year for a professional cleaning and dental exam. If you are experiencing any issues, such as toothaches or gum sensitivity, you can bring them up to your dentist so that they can determine the cause and the best course of action. 

Your dentist can identify oral health issues, as well as treat a number of different dental problems, such as filling in a cavity. If you have a more complex dental problem, such as a root canal, your dentist may refer you to a specialist, such as an endodontist, in order to ensure that you receive the necessary treatment. 

What Is An Endodontist?

An endodontist is a dental specialist who is focused on treating the interior of your tooth. All endodontists are dentists, but only about 3% of dentists are endodontists. This is because the difference between endodontists and dentists is that endodontists need additional specialty training after completing dental school in order to go from being a dentist to an endodontist.

Since endodontists specialize in the interior of your teeth, they are the best people to see if you have a condition such as a root canal. With their specialized training and equipment, they are able to minimize patient pain and increase the chances of saving your natural tooth. 

How Do You Know If You Should See An Endodontist Or A Dentist?

Since there is a difference between endodontists and dentists, you generally need to see one or the other. While endodontists are dentists, they’re specialists, which means that you wouldn’t go to an endodontist in order to have your teeth cleaned or for a routine dental exam. If you need standard dental care, you would see a general dentist. If your general dentist cannot help you with your dental concerns, they will refer you to a specialist who can.

Said specialist may be an endodontist if your problems are with the interior of your teeth. If you have problems with your gums, you may be referred to a periodontist, who specializes in gyms. If you have a root canal, a cracked tooth, or dental trauma, you’ll likely see an endodontist.

However, you do not always need to see a dentist before you can see an endodontist. There are times when you can go right to an endodontist. For instance, if you have suffered a dental trauma, such as having a tooth get knocked out, you can go right to an endodontist and they will do everything in their power to save your natural tooth. 

The Difference Between Endodontists And Dentists For Root Canals

Since both dentists and endodontists can provide root canal therapy, you may wonder if it is better to stick with your general dentist in order to obtain the necessary treatment or if you should go to a specialist. While dentists can perform root canals, and can do them quite well, they do not perform them anywhere near as often as endodontists do. While a dentist may do a root canal every now and then, endodontists do them every day. 

Thus, if you have a root canal, it is better to go to an endodontist, because they have much more experience with performing root canals and can better ensure your comfort and a higher success rate at saving your tooth. 

The Importance Of Both Endodontists And Dentists For Optimal Oral Health

Ultimately, in order to ensure optimal oral health, you want to see both a dentist and an endodontist, depending on your oral health concerns. A dentist can help keep you from needing to see an endodontist by filling cavities before they get the chance to turn into root canals. An endodontist can help save your natural tooth if you suffer from a root canal or a cracked tooth or some sort of dental trauma. While there is a difference between endodontists and dentists, both of them together can work to keep your mouth in good health and to preserve your natural teeth. 

Dr. David G. Johnson, DDS, provides exceptional endodontic services. If you need endodontic treatment, please do not hesitate to contact our office today. We’re here to help save your natural teeth and to help preserve your oral health.

Root canals are generally very successful procedures and can allow you to live without pain in that tooth for the rest of your life. However, there are cases when root canals fail and you may need endodontic retreatment. People can end up needing endodontic retreatment months or years after their initial root canal. There are many different reasons why root canals can fail and your teeth can experience repeated issues. Fortunately, endodontic retreatment gives your tooth another chance so you don’t need to worry about extraction and implants just yet.

Here is what you need to know about endodontic retreatment, when you would need it, and the reasons why this procedure can be necessary.

What Is Endodontic Retreatment?

Although root canals are incredibly successful procedures, it is possible for them to heal improperly or to develop further issues again, the same as with any other dental or medical procedure. Fortunately, teeth can be re-treated.

Endodontic retreatment is the procedure used to try to save a tooth that develops further issues after having undergone a root canal.

Why Would You Need Another Endodontic Procedure?

Endodontists always do everything in their power to try to save your natural tooth. If your tooth does not heal properly or develops further issues after a root canal, retreatment is an option that can save your natural tooth.

There are many potential reasons for why someone would end up needing endodontic retreatment. While sometimes root canals can fail because of a mistake on the part of your endodontist, in other cases, new problems can develop even if your tooth was successfully treated.

Some of the reasons why you may need retreatment include:

• Curved or narrow canals weren’t treated in the initial root canal.
• The crown placement was delayed after the treatment.
• There may have been canals that were undetected.
• The restoration didn’t prevent salivary contamination inside your tooth.
• Your tooth was fractured.
• New decay developed that caused a new infection in your tooth.
• Your crown became loose, cracked, or broke and exposed your tooth to new infection.

Are There Alternatives To Retreatment?

When you got your root canal, your endodontist likely explained your options to you. If you need endodontic retreatment, it’s much the same. You have a few options: endodontic retreatment, endodontic surgery, or extraction. Your endodontist will always do everything in their power to save your natural tooth. Implants and the like have come a long way with the advancements of modern medicine, but nothing can compare to your natural tooth.

Endodontic retreatment is generally successful in saving your teeth. However, if it is not possible, then your endodontist may suggest an apicoectomy or, in the worst case scenario, extraction.

Apicoectomy (endodontic surgery) is a last ditch effort to try to save your natural tooth. Usually, endodontists will do apicoectomies after you’ve undergone a root canal and then endodontic retreatment. This is because endodontic surgeries are quite complex with extensive recovery times. 

Extraction is generally only recommended if nothing else can be done to save your natural tooth. If you have had a root canal, undergone endodontic retreatment, and had an apicoectomy, and you are still having problems, there may be nothing else that can be done to save your natural tooth. You can then use implants or another replacement.

Will Endodontic Retreatment Last?

As with any other dental or medical procedure, there are no guarantees with anything. In general, endodontic retreatment is very successful and can last you the rest of your life. However, there is always the possibility that complications occur or further problems develop, which could result in you needing another endodontic procedure. 

How To Preserve Your Natural Teeth

Prevention is everything when it comes to taking care of your teeth. Many people don’t realize just how much taking care of their oral hygiene can do for their oral health. Brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and going to your regular dental cleanings are all essential steps to taking care of your natural teeth and preventing dental issues.

Sometimes dental problems can develop even if you take stellar care of your teeth. Dentists and endodontists both can get cavities and need root canals or endodontic retreatment or surgery too, after all. If a problem develops, it’s crucial that you have it treated sooner rather than later in order to prevent it from escalating and potentially spreading to your other teeth.

David G. Johnson, D.D.S., provides endodontic retreatment as well as other endodontic services designed to help you preserve your natural teeth. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.