Most people hear the words “root canal” and feel anxiety, but root canals actually get rid of the pain in your tooth. Navdeep Aulakh, DDS, at Friendly Smiles Dental Care in Burke, Herndon, and Manassas, Virginia, located near Lorton, Springfield, and Annandale, Virginia, can save your tooth and restore your oral health with a root canal treatment. If you’re experiencing tooth pain and suspect you may need a root canal, call or book an appointment online today.
request an appointmentWhat is a root canal?
A root canal is a procedure that repairs and saves an infected or damaged tooth, keeping you from having to have it extracted. This becomes necessary when the soft core inside your tooth, known as the pulp, becomes inflamed or infected. This can happen due to:
- Deep tooth decay
- Cracked teeth
- Trauma to the tooth
- Repeated dental procedures on the same tooth
All these causes can lead to more complicated oral health problems, like an abscess, if they’re left untreated.
What are the signs of needing a root canal procedure?
If you need a root canal procedure, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Pain
- Sensitivity to heat or cold
- Tooth discoloration
- Swelling and tenderness in your gums
Because there are sometimes no symptoms, Dr. Aulakh recommends you have regular dental checkups every few months in order to make sure your oral health is in good shape.
What happens during a root canal procedure?
During your visit, Dr. Aulakh numbs your tooth and the surrounding area to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure.
Following this, she creates a tiny hole in the top of the infected tooth and uses a special drill to extend the hole down to the bottom. This is where the bacteria and infection are located, so Dr. Aulakh uses a suction device to remove all the diseased pulp. She also cleans the pulp cavity.
After cleaning and disinfecting your tooth, she uses a rubber-like material to fill and seal the hole. This protects it against future bacteria and infection.
You also come back for another appointment to get a custom-made dental crown. This ensures your tooth can continue to function and look like any other tooth.
All in all, your treatment is performed in about two hours. The best part is knowing that, if you give your teeth the proper care, your restored tooth can last a lifetime.
If you’re experiencing pain in one or more of your teeth and suspect you may need a root canal, call Dr. Aulakh at Friendly Smiles Dental Care today or schedule an appointment online.
We offer teeth whitening, dental implants, and treatment for veneers and are located in Herndon, VA. Call us to book your appointment today.