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Root Canals
Washington DC

Root Canals

Root canal therapy can save your natural tooth, even in cases of severe infection or decay. With advanced technology and expert care, DC Dental Spa makes your root canal procedure as quick and painless as possible.

Root canal dentist DC

Root canal therapy (also known as a “root canal”) is a dental procedure that is directed at treating the pulp of a tooth that is infected. The pulp, which is full of living connective tissue, can get infected if a tooth is cracked, or a cavity has progressed such that the infection has spread to the pulp.

Root canal therapy is unfortunately a common procedure and is absolutely the only option to save a tooth once the pulp has become infected. If the tooth is not treated, the tooth will have to be extracted.

Our compassionate and educated team at DC Dental Spa are quite thorough when it comes to performing a root canal. We use the latest in advanced technology and along with our friendly atmosphere helps us evaluate your situation to find a solution quickly. Call 202-333-9282 for your initial consultation and let us help you determine your best plan of action to address a potential root canal.

How do You know if you need a Root Canal?

It is important to understand the different symptoms of the pulp of a tooth being infected to then decide if a root canal will treat those symptoms.

It most likely will be obvious that there is something wrong once the pulp of your tooth becomes infected. That is because it usually creates a lot of severe discomfort and pain!

Some of the symptoms if you have an infected root pulp include:

  • Pain while trying to chew food.
  • A severe toothache.
  • Pain when you apply pressure to the tooth.
  • Changes in the shade or color of a tooth.
  • Extreme sensitivity to hot or cold foods (such as ice cream).
  • Swelling of the gums.
  • If you have any of these symptoms, you should make an appointment with DC Dental Spa as soon as possible.

It is also important to know just why a root canal needs to be performed. Some of these reasons include:

  • Infection
  • Tooth Decay
  • Dead Tooth Nerve
  • Trauma to the Tooth
  • Fracture of the Tooth

Do not allow the issue to persist any longer than it needs to. Take care of your infected tooth as soon as you can.

The Process

The first step of root canal therapy is the actual initial exam and evaluation. At this time, we will look at the tooth, and see what the issue is. If the pain or sensitivity is from just minor decay, you may only need a cavity filled. If the pulp is infected, though, we will decide on whether the tooth is able to be saved or not.

Once we make the decision to save the natural tooth and proceed with root canal therapy, we will begin by administering a local anesthetic to avoid any discomfort. After the tooth is adequately numb, we will start the treatment by removing any injured pulp. We must next disinfect the root canal system. Once the inside of your tooth is clean, a rubbery filling will be used to seal your tooth to prevent any further infection. If your tooth had a significant amount of decay, or was cracked, we may decide to place on the tooth a dental crown to ensure the strength of the tooth.

While most root canal procedures can be completed within one visit, it might take more than one visit depending on the extent and type of treatment that is required.

Is Root Canal Therapy Painful?

Having an infection in the pulp of a tooth can be very painful, the actual procedure to remove the infection is relatively painless. Do not allow anxiety or the fear of root canal prevent you from getting the proper care that your tooth needs. If you do not get the root canal, you run the risk of the tooth being damaged to the point where it can no longer be saved. Once you have hit this point, your only option will be extraction.

Post Root Canal Aftercare

There are no special instructions for aftercare that is necessary after root canal therapy. It is important, though, for you to contact us if there are any complications that develop. If you experience any pain, swelling or pressure that persists for a few days, this might be due to a possible infection. Please contact us to set an appointment if this is indeed the case.

How to avoid Root Canals

Root canal therapy can usually be avoided with proper oral care. By simply brushing your teeth, flossing, and rinsing out your mouth at least twice a day, you can go a long way to preventing infections and tooth decay.

The health industry strongly suggests and is extremely important to visit DC Dental Spa at least twice a year. During these regular checkups, we will be able to catch any cavities that have formed and fill the cavities. This will help you to avoid needing root canal therapy down the line. If we find a cracked or chipped tooth, we can address that issue as well avoiding pulp infection.

The Costs Involved

The cost of your root canal will depend on your individual needs. The severity of the infection will vary from patient to patient and even from tooth to tooth. Teeth have different number of roots which will affect the cost. If a crown needs to be placed, which will also add to the cost.

Your dental insurance will likely cover a portion of the costs, but how much depends on your insurance plan. Our staff will speak with your insurance company if you have any questions, and how much of the cost of your root canal procedure they will cover.

High Quality Care You Can Trust

At DC Dental Spa our downtown office will expect these scenarios and will work to accommodate your busy schedule. Our entire staff shares in the positive results and satisfaction you will achieve but also the gratification that comes with the ongoing development of lasting relationships with all our patients. We respect the trust that you place in us. We are very compassionate, thoughtful, and patient about exercising preventative overall dental health and delivering the enjoyment that comes with your healthy smile. Visit us today at DC Dental Spa, 730 24th St. NW, Suite 9, Washington, DC, 20037, or call 202-333-9282 for an evaluation and consultation if you are experiencing the symptoms of tooth damage and to see if a root canal will address any discomfort and save your natural tooth.

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