Happy & Healthy

Root Canals

Root Canals Alexandria VA

Happy & Healthy

Root Canals

Root Canals Alexandria VA

Root Canals

in Alexandria, VA

A root canal, also called root canal therapy, is a dental procedure that treats the infected pulp of a tooth. The pulp, which is made up of living connective tissue, will get infected when a tooth is cracked, or a cavity has progressed to the point that the bacteria has spread to the pulp.

Unfortunately, a root canal is a common procedure and is the only way to save a natural tooth after the bacteria has infected the pulp. If the tooth is not treated with a root canal, the only option left will be an extraction.

The entire team at INSPIRE DENTAL OF ALEXANDRIA shares an office goal. With over three decades of experience, we pride ourselves in being old school when it comes to respecting you and your family and giving you the treatment that we would wish to receive ourselves. Every single patient receives the quality care they deserve. This is the way to earn your trust and satisfaction. Our team is focused on our collaborative efforts to promote oral health by practicing prevention, wellness, enhancement, and renewing rejuvenation. Visit us at 4660 Kenmore Ave., #320, Alexandria, VA 22304 or give us a call today at 703-751-7600 to schedule your appointment to see if you might benefit from a root canal.

How Do You Know if You Need a Root Canal?

To understand if you need a root canal, it is first important to identify the symptoms of the infected pulp of a tooth.

Like it or not, it will be obvious that there is something wrong once the pulp has become infected. This is because an infected pulp usually brings a great deal of discomfort, or even pain.

Some of the symptoms of an infected root pulp include:

  • A throbbing, severe toothache.
  • Pain while attempting to bite or chew.
  • The gums around the tooth swell.
  • Pain when you apply some pressure to the tooth.
  • A change in the shade or color of the tooth.
  • Extreme sensitivity to hot or cold.

If you have any of these symptoms, you should call for an appointment with INSPIRE DENTAL OF ALEXANDRIA as soon as possible.

It also helps to understand why a root canal needs to be done. Some of these reasons include:

  • Infection from a cavity or crack.
  • Accidental trauma to the tooth.
  • Any tooth decay.
  • A fracture of the tooth.
  • A dead nerve in the tooth.

Do not allow the issue to persist and linger. Take care of your infected tooth as soon as you can.

RESTORATIVE
DENTISTRY

Even with the best of diligence to maintain your oral health things don’t go as planned. Once in a while, and you might find that your teeth need to be restored or replaced. Missing, cracked, damaged, or even decayed teeth will dull your smile. Did you know it can also affect your oral health? At Inspire Dental of Alexandria we offer restorative dentistry to ensure that your teeth and oral health are back to their former state.

COMSETIC
DENTISTRY

It is important to feel confident in your smile, because being confident in your smile means being confident in yourself. Despite this, many people walk around every day, resigned to the fact that their smile is what it is and there is really nothing they can do to change it. But what if that was not the case? What if improving the aesthetic appearance and/or functionality of your smile was easier than you thought?

IMPLANT
DENTISTRY

Almost 50 million Americans experience tooth-loss every year. Dental bridges have traditionally been the best option if you are in this situation. However, there have been continual technological advancements regarding different types of dental implants. Dental implants are becoming both a common and popular procedure to restore a missing tooth or teeth.

Is the Root Canal Procedure Painful?

Having an infection in the pulp of a tooth can be quite painful, so relatively speaking, and the actual procedure to remove the infection is relatively painless. Do not allow the anxiety of a root canal prevent you from getting the proper care that your tooth needs. If you do not get a root canal, the tooth will become damaged to the point where it can no longer be repaired. At this point, your only option will be extraction.

What is a Pulpotomy?

Pulpotomy is the dental term that we use for a root canal for a child. Understand that your child’s primary teeth are still softer than your teeth, and therefore are more vulnerable to decay. Because of this, they are also more likely to suffer from tooth infection. A pulpotomy is like a root canal for an adult. INSPIRE DENTAL OF ALEXANDRIA will decide if pulpotomy is necessary for your child by examining the tooth for any decay or infection.

The Root Canal Procedure

The first step of a root canal is visiting INSPIRE DENTAL OF ALEXANDRIA for an examination. At this evaluation we will examine the tooth and determine what the issue is. If it is just minor decay, we will just remove the decay and fill the cavity. If the pulp is indeed infected, though, we next need to decide if we can save the tooth.

Once we decide to proceed with a root canal, we will begin the treatment by administering a local anesthesia first to relieve and prevent any more discomfort. Once the tooth is adequately numb, we will drill a small hole in the tooth and remove all the pulp from the pulp chamber and the roots. We then disinfect the pulp chamber and the root canal system. When the inside chamber and the roots of the tooth are clean, a rubbery like material will be used to fill the entire system. We finish by sealing the tooth to prevent any further infection. If the tooth had a significant amount of decay and is weakened, INSPIRE DENTAL OF ALEXANDRIA might recommend placing a dental crown over the tooth to ensure the strength of the tooth and protect it.

Most root canals can be treated and completed in one visit, but it could take longer if a crown is added.

WHAT OUR DENTAL PATIENTS SAY

5 star

My family has been seeing Dr. White through more than a decade of teeth cleanings, tooth injuries, teeth grinding, cavities, caps, root canal... you name it. The office is 30 minutes away but we wouldn't consider another dentist office. It's not just that Dr. White is a great professional, it's that he and his family run a great office. Scheduling, insurance, hygienists, hours -- everything about interacting with them is first rate.Everybody is knowledgeable, thorough, and kind. They take major insurance, and have even given me advice on which options to select. ...and Dr. White is a big Nats fan, which is a bonus in my book any day.

SCOTT A.

Alexandria, VA

Proper Aftercare Following a Root Canal

There is no special aftercare that is necessary after a root canal. It is important, though, for you to contact us if there are any complications after your procedure. If you notice any swelling, pain, or pressure that lasts for a few days, this could be from a lingering infection. Contact us to make an appointment to have it examined.

Root Canals Can Be Avoided

Root canal therapy can usually be avoided with your proper oral care at home. By simply brushing your teeth twice every day, flossing and rinsing at least once a day, you can prevent any infections and tooth decay.

It is also extremely important to visit INSPIRE DENTAL OF ALEXANDRIA at least twice a year. During these regular checkups, we compliment your efforts with a professional cleaning and can catch any cavities that might be forming. We can then fill the cavities at this time. This will help you to avoid needing a root canal later.

Our Mission Statement is to Open Doors with a Smile

At INSPIRE DENTAL OF ALEXANDRIA, our mission statement is quite simple. We approach every patient with attentive, gentle grace and patience. We understand the concept that we each are unique, and we all have our personal therapy plans. No matter the age, we will treat each patient only as we wish to be treated. By integrating cutting-edge technology with solid tradition, we attempt every day to exceed your expectations. Visit us at 4660 Kenmore Ave., #320, Alexandria, VA 22304 or give us a call today at 703-751-7600 to schedule your appointment for an evaluation to see if you might benefit from a root canal.  High quality, comfortable, relaxing environment, and plenty of smiles is what you will encounter at INSPIRE DENTAL OF ALEXANDRIA.

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