Root Canal Specialist

K Street Dental & Orthodontic Group -  - Cosmetic Dentistry

K Street Dental & Orthodontic Group

Cosmetic Dentistry & Orthodontics located in Washington, DC

Root canals have a bad reputation as painful procedures. In fact, they alleviate your pain and save you from having to get an extraction. The team of dental experts at K Street Dental & Orthodontic Group offer gentle and effective root canal treatments to their patients in Washington, D.C. To learn more about how root canals make your smile healthy again, schedule a consultation today by calling the offices or booking a visit online.

Root Canal Q & A

What is a root canal?

A root canal is a procedure that the K Street Dental & Orthodontic Group performs to salvage a tooth with pulp that’s suffered from infection, damage, or decay.

The pulp is the soft inner layer of your tooth. It’s composed of blood vessels, connective tissues, and nerve fibers. Pulp that’s infected or damaged gets inflamed, which pinches the nerves and causes immense pain. 

In the past, teeth with diseased or damaged pulp were removed entirely. With a root canal, the team at K Street Dental & Orthodontic Group salvages and preserves your natural tooth, which is always preferable.

How do I know if my pulp is damaged?

Some of the indications of damaged pulp include:

  • Severe toothache
  • Increased sensitivity to hot and cold
  • Pain when chewing or applying pressure
  • A dark or discolored tooth
  • Swelling or tenderness in your gums
  • A tiny pocket of pus or pimple at your tooth’s root

If you experience any of these symptoms, you likely need a root canal. Schedule a visit with K Street Dental & Orthodontic Group immediately. 

What happens if I don’t get a root canal?

An infected tooth only gets worse when left untreated, and could lead to more serious conditions like tooth loss or infection of nearby teeth. You might even develop an abscess, which can destroy the bone and tissues around your tooth.

After your teeth emerge through your gums, the nerves in them serve no purpose beyond feeling hot and cold sensations. The potential complications of leaving an infected tooth untreated far outweigh the benefits of hoping that your infection will go away.

What is microscopy dentistry? 

Microscopy dentistry refers to the use of special dental microscopes that help improve the precision and effectiveness of root canal therapy. When your dentist at K Street Dental & Orthodontic Group performs a root canal, they use this cutting edge technology to magnify imaging. 

The advent of microscopy dentistry helps tremendously with preparing your tooth for a root canal, preventing damage to surrounding teeth and soft tissue, and ensuring optimal restorative results.  

What happens during a root canal?

A root canal typically takes one to three visits to K Street Dental & Orthodontic Group. Your dentist drills a small hole in the top of your tooth, then uses an endodontic file to scrape out your damaged pulp. 

With your pulp chamber and root canal free of diseased tissue, your dentist cleans and disinfects the inside of your tooth. Next, they seal it up with a rubbery compound called gutta-percha. In some instances, your dentist inserts a tiny metal or plastic post in your root canal to help retain the core and support the tooth.

Your dentist then seals the hole in the top of your tooth with a filling, and fits you with a crown to restore the strength and appearance of your tooth.

The sooner you seek treatment for your infected tooth, the sooner you’ll feel better. Free yourself from pain today by scheduling a consultation with the dental experts at K Street Dental & Orthodontic Group. You can book your visit by phone or online.