EXPERT
Dr. Nicholas Leon-Guerrero
Endodontist | Endodontics
My name is Dr. Nick Leon-Guerrero. I grew up in Modesto, California and attended college at the University of the Pacific. I continued at the University of the Pacific in San Francisco, CA for my dental school training and finished my degree in 2014. After that, I completed a one year General Practice Residency at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, NY. After one year in private practice, I decided to further my training with a two-year endodontics residency program at Columbia University in New York, NY. After graduation, I started private practice with Limited to Endodontics in Boston, MA. Currently I live and work in Arlington, Virginia with several outstanding colleagues at Dominion Endodontics. We have additional office in both Falls Church and Alexandria, Virginia. I love working here and taking care of my wonderful patients, but I am always excited for new opportunities. I love the power endodontics has to save teeth. Our specialty is taking great strides in patient care by embracing fundamental ideas of the past and incorporating new innovative methods to provide the best care possible. I enjoy practicing at the cutting edge with regenerative, minimally invasive, and surgical techniques to reach patient-centered outcomes. My priority is always to provide successful treatment and gently alleviate pain for my patients.
10 years
Experience
Dr. Nicholas Leon-Guerrero
- Arlington, VA
- University of the Pacific
- Accepting new patients
No results found
How to take care of your mouth after a root canal?
After a root canal, one must be careful to not bite on anything hard that could fracture the tooth or anything sticky that could pop a temporary filling off. Otherwise the tooth READ MORE
After a root canal, one must be careful to not bite on anything hard that could fracture the tooth or anything sticky that could pop a temporary filling off. Otherwise the tooth is typically brushed and flossed like normal. It is important to follow all the instructions given to you by your dentist after the procedure.
Is it ok to get a crown without a root canal?
Yes, a crown procedure can be done without a root canal if it has been determined that the pulp and periapical tissues on the tooth are free of disease. Be aware however, the crown READ MORE
Yes, a crown procedure can be done without a root canal if it has been determined that the pulp and periapical tissues on the tooth are free of disease. Be aware however, the crown procedure itself may cause inflammation that may necessitate a root canal after the crown has already been placed.
How long do dental implants last?
In a 16-year study conducted by Dr. P. Simonis, the cumulative 16-year survival rate of the dental implants studied was 82.94%. Dental implants generally have a high success rate, READ MORE
In a 16-year study conducted by Dr. P. Simonis, the cumulative 16-year survival rate of the dental implants studied was 82.94%. Dental implants generally have a high success rate, although they are not without their own complications over time.
Clin Oral Implants Res. 2010 Jul;21(7):772-7
Clin Oral Implants Res. 2010 Jul;21(7):772-7
How long is the recovery after a root canal?
Postoperative pain after a root canal procedure generally worsens the first 2-3 days after the procedure and then improves during the following 7-10 days. It is important to follow READ MORE
Postoperative pain after a root canal procedure generally worsens the first 2-3 days after the procedure and then improves during the following 7-10 days. It is important to follow all of the post-operative instructions given to one by their dentist to avoid complications in healing after the procedure.
Are antibiotics necessary after a root canal?
No antibiotics are not always indicated after a root canal, but may be depending on one's overall health history and current condition. It is important to speak to ones dentist READ MORE
No antibiotics are not always indicated after a root canal, but may be depending on one's overall health history and current condition. It is important to speak to ones dentist to fully determine if antibiotics will be necessary in addition to treatment.
How long does a root canal take?
The time a root canal takes depends on the difficulty of the tooth and the skill of the provider. The average time is somewhere between 45 minutes to 1 hour, however some difficult READ MORE
The time a root canal takes depends on the difficulty of the tooth and the skill of the provider. The average time is somewhere between 45 minutes to 1 hour, however some difficult root canals may take several appointments, each longer than and hour.
Do I need a root canal?
If one has too pain, it possible but not certain a root canal may be necessary. Anyone with dental pain should seek evaluation by a dentist to fully determine what treatment options READ MORE
If one has too pain, it possible but not certain a root canal may be necessary. Anyone with dental pain should seek evaluation by a dentist to fully determine what treatment options may be available.
I have nerve pain after my root canal?
If one is experiencing postoperative pain after a root canal procedure, It is recommended to follow up with one's dentist to see if any additional treatment is needed. The provider READ MORE
If one is experiencing postoperative pain after a root canal procedure, It is recommended to follow up with one's dentist to see if any additional treatment is needed. The provider who completed the procedure or a specialist called an endodontist will best be able to help you resolve this condition.
How long does a root canal last?
The evidence in the scientific literature suggests a success rate of between 85%-95% for root canal treatment, however each individual tooth may have several factors that raise READ MORE
The evidence in the scientific literature suggests a success rate of between 85%-95% for root canal treatment, however each individual tooth may have several factors that raise or lower the lifespan of the tooth. A well done root canal in patient with good oral hygiene habits may last a lifetime.
Who do I see for my root canal procedure?
While any dentist may be licensed to perform a root canal procedure, dental specialists known as endodontists exist to exclusively do root canals. Root canals are known to be a READ MORE
While any dentist may be licensed to perform a root canal procedure, dental specialists known as endodontists exist to exclusively do root canals. Root canals are known to be a difficult procedure for many general dentists, whereas an endodontist may have special equipment to complete the root canal procedure.
How long does it take for amoxicillin to work for a tooth infection?
Antibiotics like amoxicillin start to work as soon as you begin taking them. Most patients report a noticeable difference in symptoms after 2-3 days. If one has issues with their READ MORE
Antibiotics like amoxicillin start to work as soon as you begin taking them. Most patients report a noticeable difference in symptoms after 2-3 days. If one has issues with their antibiotics, it is important so speak with ones doctor to see if the type or dosage needs to be changed.
How many dental fillings can you get at a time?
There is no limit to the amount of dental fillings that you can get at one time. However doing a full mouth of dental appointments can be a long appointment and lead to discomfort READ MORE
There is no limit to the amount of dental fillings that you can get at one time. However doing a full mouth of dental appointments can be a long appointment and lead to discomfort afterwards. Most dentists choose to do either 1/4 or 1/2 of the mouth at one time and space the work into 2-4 appointments.
What is the best treatment for a gap between teeth?
For most gaps, the least invasive way to treat this is to get orthodontic treatment (braces). Some options including fillings, crowns, and veneers may be able to close gaps between READ MORE
For most gaps, the least invasive way to treat this is to get orthodontic treatment (braces). Some options including fillings, crowns, and veneers may be able to close gaps between teeth as well. If the space is very large or caused by a missing tooth, the space may need to be replaced by an implant, bridge or removable prosthesis. Each case is different and a dentist will need to do a full evaluation to determine which treatment is best.
Do nearby teeth move after a root canal?
No a root canal itself will not cause movement of the nearby teeth. Movement of nearby teeth is more likely to occur after an extraction (removal) of the tooth.
Do I need a root canal before a bridge?
A root canal may or may not be necessary before a bridge and depends on several factors. If tooth preparation need to be shortened or angulated to fix the bridge, or if there is READ MORE
A root canal may or may not be necessary before a bridge and depends on several factors. If tooth preparation need to be shortened or angulated to fix the bridge, or if there is deep decay, then a root canal may be necessary. A root canal may also be necessary if symptoms or infection develops after the bridge. For some teeth, a root canal will not be necessary for the bridge to seat and therefore can be avoided. I would advised one speak with their dentist regarding their possible need for root canal treatment prior to any bridge preparation.
Why are root canals so painful?
The misconception that root canals are painful stems from a time when effective dental anesthesia was not available. Today, most root canal procedures can be done painlessly, although READ MORE
The misconception that root canals are painful stems from a time when effective dental anesthesia was not available. Today, most root canal procedures can be done painlessly, although there is typically some mild post-operative discomfort afterwards.
Does tooth pain mean I need a root canal?
No, tooth pain does not necessarily mean you need a root canal, although often it does. Some conditions may heal on their own or require different kinds of treatment such as a READ MORE
No, tooth pain does not necessarily mean you need a root canal, although often it does. Some conditions may heal on their own or require different kinds of treatment such as a filling, cleaning, or extraction. Every case is different, so when one has tooth pain, it is important to see a dentist for evaluation before it gets worse.
What type of anesthesia is used for a root canal?
The anesthesia typically used for a root canal procedure is the same local anesthesia that would be used when doing a simple filling. The most common local anesthesias used in READ MORE
The anesthesia typically used for a root canal procedure is the same local anesthesia that would be used when doing a simple filling. The most common local anesthesias used in dentistry include lidocaine, mepivicaine, and articaine among others. These local anesthesia may include a vasoconstrictor such as epinephrine to increase their effectiveness. It is important before any dental procedure to review your medical history with your doctor to determine if these kinds of anesthesia may be safe for you.
Can I drink coke after a root canal?
A root canal procedure is done within the center of a tooth and its filling materials should not be left open to the mouth after completion. Because it is sealed within the tooth, READ MORE
A root canal procedure is done within the center of a tooth and its filling materials should not be left open to the mouth after completion. Because it is sealed within the tooth, yes it should be perfectly fine to drink cola after the procedure.
Can a root canal being done change your face shape?
A root canal alone will not change your face shape. The root canal is done internally in a tooth within your mouth, and therefore will not affect your facial structure or bite. READ MORE
A root canal alone will not change your face shape. The root canal is done internally in a tooth within your mouth, and therefore will not affect your facial structure or bite. However, complications before or after a root canal may lead to temporary swelling which cause your face or jaw to appear different. This however is temporary and should resolve after the swelling heals.
