Root Canal Treatment in Germantown, MD

Rosewood Dental provides root canal services in Germantown, MD. Call 301-515-2466 to learn more and schedule your appointment.

When a tooth causes unbearable pain, it’s likely that a root canal is necessary. Root canals are used as a treatment when the pulp of a tooth is infected. Because the pulp contains nerve endings and blood vessels, infection here can cause severe toothaches.

There’s an unfortunate misconception that root canals are a particularly uncomfortable dental procedure, but with modern techniques and local anesthesia, you’ll find that getting a root canal is no more painful than having a cavity filled. Root canals allow us to save your natural tooth and prevent the need for extraction and costly tooth replacements.

After numbing the infected tooth and tissue surrounding it with local anesthetic injections, we open up the tooth and remove the pulp. The tooth chamber is thoroughly cleaned and then disinfected to prevent reinfection. A rubber-like material is used to fill the chamber, then we seal the tooth—most often this is with a dental crown, but depending on the circumstances, we may use an inlay, onlay, or dental filling instead.

While your root canal treatment will be pain-free, you will start to experience some soreness and tooth sensitivity once the anesthesia wears off. Use cold compresses and over-the-counter pain medications to soothe any discomfort. You can eat shortly after your treatment, but we advise you to stick with a soft food diet until you no longer experience sensitivity in the affected tooth.

How long does a root canal take?

The time needed for a root canal depends on the tooth affected and its anatomy. If the tooth is one with a single canal, the procedure may take as little as 30 minutes. Otherwise, root canals usually take about 90 minutes.

Are you awake during a root canal?

Yes, you are awake during a root canal, but we use local anesthesia to ensure that you don’t feel any discomfort. If needed, we can offer sedation to help you feel more calm and relaxed if you’re anxious about the procedure.

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

Your tooth infection will not go away on its own—if you don’t get a root canal, you can expect it to continue to worsen. Left untreated, the infection can spread to surrounding teeth, soft tissue, bone, and even throughout the body via the bloodstream. This has the potential to be fatal. There’s no reason to put yourself through the pain and unnecessary risk of an untreated tooth infection. If you’re nervous, talk to us about sedation options to help you through the procedure.

Why do root canals take two visits?

At our practice, root canals usually only require a single visit because we offer same-day crowns. Without the option of same-day crowns, you typically need one visit for your root canal, then a second visit a few weeks later for permanent crown placement. Our patients appreciate being able to complete the entire process in one appointment!

Should I be scared of a root canal?

The only thing scary about a root canal is not getting one when you need it! You’ll be surprised how little discomfort is involved in the procedure.

Call 301-515-2466 to schedule your appointment.