ROOT CANALS

Treating Root Canals In Fairfax, Virginia

At Fair Lakes Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, our dentists expertly treat a wide range of dental conditions, including root canals. A root canal is necessary when decay reaches the pulp of the tooth. This treatment can effectively save the tooth from having to be removed completely.

root canal

Who Needs A Root Canal?

The pulp is the soft tissue underneath the enamel and dentin that contains the tooth’s nerves and blood vessels. The pulp helps keep the tooth healthy by feeding it nutrients through connective tissues. When the pulp becomes infected, it can be detrimental to the tooth’s overall health. There are several reasons the pulp can become infected, including:

  • An untreated cavity

  • Trauma or injury to the tooth

  • A cracked tooth

If these issues go untreated, an infection can occur, leading to the possible removal of your tooth. Symptoms of infection include pain, swelling and the forming of an abscess. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms of infection, contact your dentist immediately.

Preparing For Your Root Canal

Our team at Fair Lakes Family and Cosmetic Dentistry will go over your questions and review what to expect during the procedure. We will take X-rays of the affected tooth to get an idea of the extent of the damage and to make sure that treating the tooth through root canal treatment is the right decision. To help treat the infection, we may prescribe antibiotics to take leading up to your procedure.

The Root Canal Procedure

This treatment is a routine procedure that can typically be completed in one visit in about thirty minutes or an hour, depending on the extent of the damage to your tooth. The procedure is as follows:

Apply local anesthesia

We care about patient comfort, and local anesthesia numbs the affected area. You won’t feel any pain.

While keeping the area dry, our dentist makes a small hole in the tooth’s crown so that the pulp can be accessed. Using small instruments, the pulp is removed.

Once the pulp is removed, the canal is cleaned, disinfected and prepped for filling.

Flexible material is placed in the canal.

A temporary filling will be placed to seal the tooth from bacteria. In some cases, a dental restoration is immediately placed and a temporary filling is not needed.

In most cases, a dental crown will be placed on your tooth after your root canal. A dental crown restores the function of your tooth. The crown may be immediately placed, or you may need to wear a temporary crown while your custom crown is created.

What To Expect After Your Root Canal

Root canals help alleviate tooth pain, and some patients notice relief almost immediately following the procedure. Some discomfort and sensitivity after a root canal procedure is normal, but patients should not experience intense pain. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help treat discomfort after your procedure. If you experience intense pain, contact us immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our team does everything possible to make sure you are comfortable during the procedure. Dr. Tran and Dr. Nguyen will numb the infected tooth and nearby area, so you won’t feel a thing!

Most often, it takes less than a week for the area to completely heal.

The best avenue for avoiding a root canal is to keep up your good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly to get rid of any plaque buildup that causes cavities. You’ll also want to visit us for your routine cleanings and checkups.