Root Canal Therapy in Washington, D.C.

Injured and decayed teeth are generally taken care of with a filling or a different type of restoration if they are discovered and dealt with early. But when the bacteria spread to the core of the tooth (sometimes known as the pulp), a root canal is usually needed to restore dental health and prevent extraction. A root canal is a common treatment performed at Chang & Rothkopf Dental to remove diseased inner tissues and strengthen the damaged tooth to improve dental function. Our team of skilled dentists corrects infected or structurally deteriorating teeth by using delicate root canal therapy and employs sedation solutions to further boost patient comfort. When you suffer from a painful or infected tooth, reach out to our Washington, D.C. practice as soon as you can to enjoy the health perks of modern root canal treatment.

Root Canal Therapy is a highly advantageous dental procedure available to residents of Washington, D.C. looking to renew and revitalize their dental health. This specialized treatment offers a wide range of benefits, catering to the unique needs and desires of individuals in the nation's capital who are seeking to improve their oral well-being. These benefits include::

• Alleviates discomfort by eliminating infected pulp
• Maintains the integrity of your natural tooth
• Restores oral well-being and halts further infection
• Enhances chewing and speaking, making it more comfortable
• Elevates the aesthetics of your smile through seamless restoration

Inflamed tooth pulp may be attributed to extreme cavities, a deep chip, or trauma. We can provide an x-ray and perform an oral assessment to determine if a root canal or another therapy is needed to ease tooth pain and recover your dental wellness. Typical signs that might signal the need for a root canal are shooting or throbbing dental pains, constant oral discomfort, pain while chewing, and sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. You might also see swelling focused around the mouth or gumline, a pus-filled pustule near the gum tissues, or a darkening of a tooth after a wound.

Advanced solutions help boost a patient's relaxation during their root canal treatment. At CK Dental & Associates, root canals use local anesthesia and are sometimes combined with sedation substances to encourage additional ease. Once the tooth is numb, a rubber dam safeguards the patient's mouth. The inflamed region will then be reached via a little hole in the tooth’s upper part. The pulp, which consists of the nerve center and storage for the tooth, is then removed, and the area will be restructured with professional tools before being carefully cleaned. Dr. Chang can then close off the infected tooth using a special material and finish it with a sedative filling to promote healing.

The amount of tooth discomfort you experienced before your endodontic treatment should begin to ebb away once the root canal is done. Nonprescription pain relievers might also be utilized to minimize any discomfort or inflammation that develops following your procedure. Dr. Woo Young Chang will arrange a checkup appointment about a month after so that he can gauge your progress. Teeth addressed with root canal therapy are more susceptible to deterioration and generally require the safety of a crown as soon as they're fully recovered. A custom crown might then be designed to return the function and appearance of your tooth.

Will I need a dental crown after having a root canal?
Root canals remove the nerve center and blood supply to a tooth, which can cause them to become brittle and more likely to break over time. As a result, a dental restoration must be placed. To protect a tooth after a root canal, we usually recommend placing a dental crown, which helps strengthen and save the tooth structure. During your consultation at Chang & Rothkopf Dental, we can discuss the right type of restoration for you should a root canal be necessary.

How long does it take to recover from a root canal treatment?
Usually, it takes a few days of downtime to recover from a root canal treatment. Prior to leaving our Washington, DC office, we will provide you with the aftercare instructions to ensure your ideal and quickest recovery process. In some cases, more than one root canal treatment may be required to fully clean out the infected tooth.

Should I get a root canal or a tooth extraction?
A root canal and dental restoration performed by one of the board-certified dentists at Chang & Rothkopf represent a lower risk to your overall oral well-being than a tooth extraction. An extracted tooth creates a gap that can weaken the nearby teeth. This can also cause teeth to shift and risks overcrowding, misalignment, or overlapping.

Diseased and abscessed teeth can result in any number of dental and total health problems when disregarded or not addressed. But thanks to developments in today's dental care, a root canal performed at Chang & Rothkopf Dental might be a beneficial option to rescue your tooth and your dental wellness. Reach out to our office in Washington, D.C. to schedule an evaluation with a member of our team to learn more about our approach to endodontic therapy.