About 15 million teeth are saved every year with root canal treatment. A root canal is necessary when a tooth’s pulp becomes inflamed or infected. If pulp infection is left untreated, this can cause severe pain and lead to an abscess. While the perception that root canals are painful began decades ago, advances in dental technology have resulted in root canals that are no more uncomfortable than having a cavity filled.
At NOVA Dental Anesthesia, we strive to change patients’ thoughts about root canal treatment by using technologies that enable a painless approach while alleviating dental anxiety. During a root canal in our Burke & Winchester, VA office, our highly skilled dentist, the infected pulp and nerve in your tooth root cleans and shapes the inside of the root canal, then fills and seals the space.
A tooth root comprises the lower two-thirds of your tooth, anchoring it in position and keeping your jawbone healthy. The root canal space is located below the pulp chamber in the radicular portion of the tooth. The end tip of the tooth root is called the apex. Root canals can be round, oval, long, flattened, or irregular. In most people, incisors, canines, and premolars have one root, while molars have two or three, each of which can get infected.
When the pulp inside your tooth root becomes infected, the pulp and bacteria must be removed to save your tooth, oral health, and overall health. During a root canal in Burke & Winchester, VA, our oral dentist first numbs the treatment site with a local anesthetic. If you suffer from dental anxiety or need additional sedation, we offer diverse sedation options. Either way, you won’t feel any pain, although you may experience slight pressure as we complete the procedure. We drill a small hole in your tooth crown to access the pulp chamber and carefully clean out all the bacteria and infected pulp and tissues. Then, we fill and seal the end with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. Afterward, the tooth is restored with a crown or filling to protect it and restore normal function. We accept many insurance plans and offer third-party financing to ensure your treatment is both painless and affordable.
When our dentist performs a root canal in Burke & Winchester, VA, you can live a comfortable and functional life free of tooth pain. The benefits of root canal treatment include:
The best way to prevent a root canal is to practice good oral hygiene, avoid hard food that can crack teeth, and protect your teeth when playing sports. Follow these additional precautions:
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