Many people get concerned when they find out they need a root canal. Progressive Dental Care wants you to know a root canal doesn’t have to be an unpleasant, anxiety-inducing experience. You'll be hard-pressed to find a more experienced dental team than Progressive Dental Care in Fairfax, Virginia. Dr. Alka Mahajan, DMD, and her team perform root canal procedures all the time. If you have any hesitations about getting a root canal, give the office a call or schedule an appointment online.

Root Canals Q & A

Do I need a root canal?

A root canal is a dental procedure intended to remove oral discomfort and restore your tooth. When the inside of your tooth is severely infected or decayed, Dr. Mahajan at Progressive Dental Care extracts any dying or dead tissue and bacteria from the tooth's interior. Doing so lets her get rid of your pain and preserve your tooth.

What causes the root of a tooth to become infected?

From damage to the tooth or from a cavity allowed to go untreated, roots and tissue within your teeth can become infected with bacteria. The infected tissue may enter the root or pulp of the tooth if you put off going to the dentist. Be sure to inquire about treatment, because if the infection gets any further, this can induce a host of other problems.

How can I recognize an infected tooth?

If you don't deal with an infected tooth right away, you'll be welcoming a great deal of pain in the future. The usual symptoms of an infected tooth are:

• Inflamed gums
• Tooth soreness when eating and drinking
• Intense tooth sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
• Smelly, bad breath
• Pus coming from around the tooth
• Painful aching in your mouth or jaw
• Darkening color of the tooth
• A bump on your gum like a small pimple

What's involved in a root canal?

Most often, Dr. Mahajan at Progressive Dental Care completes the treatment in one or two appointments. You may first need X-rays so she can judge the magnitude of damage to the tooth needing a root canal.

When it's time for the procedure to begin, Dr. Mahajan will apply a needle to anesthetize the area. Occasionally, she sticks a dental dam, or a small film of rubber, on your tooth to keep it hygienic and shielded while the procedure is happening. Once your tooth is anesthetized, Dr. Mahajan makes a tiny cut in your tooth to access the area of infection inside the root.

Next, Dr. Mahajan uses small files to remove the damaged and diseased pulp and irrigates the area with water to wash away any debris. Once all the infected material is removed, she either seals the tooth or puts in a temporary filling to protect your tooth until you come back for a permanent crown.

If you show any signs or symptoms of a tooth infection, be sure to call Progressive Dental Care or schedule a consultation online.