root canal

Root Canal Treatment

Do you have a toothache or a tooth that is suddenly very sensitive to hot or cold? You may have an infected tooth in need of a root canal.

If so, it's best to seek root canal treatment now so you can avoid pain and the need for tooth extraction.

At Smile Designer of Leesburg, VA, we use gentle, state-of-the-art methods to bring relief and save your tooth. 

Are You in Pain Now?

If you are experiencing severe tooth pain, you may need root canal therapy. Contact our Leesburg or Arlington office so our dentists can see you as soon as possible. We offer local anesthesia to make treatment virtually painless.

"Great experience"

1

Pam Early

2020

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Loved this office. No pressure sales, didn’t try to sell me all kinds of services just because I have good insurance like a previous office. Comfortable and loved everyone there.

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1

Catherine Roseberry

2020

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Great experience at Smile Designers. Felt entirely confident and reassured in the hands of Dr. Han and his assistant. Not unimportantly, being terrified of needles: Dr. Han is the best with syringes that I have ever experienced. I barely felt it! And Kim, at the front desk, is delightful. Catherine Roseberry

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What Is a Tooth Infection?

infected tooth

A tooth infection occurs when bacteria invade the interior of a tooth, which includes the root canals (the centers of the tooth roots). Teeth have a hard outer surface and an inner layer, called dentin, that is porous. In the center is the pulp cavity, which is filled with nerves and blood vessels.

If a tooth has been damaged, either by decay or an injury, an infection can enter the pulp cavity and root canals. When left untreated, the infection kills the pulp and can spread to other parts of the body, and even be life-threatening.

Root canal therapy performed by a skilled dentist or endodontist is the only way to save the infected tooth. With root canal treatment, a dentist or endodontist can eliminate the infection, relieve tooth pain, reinforce the structure of the tooth, and protect your oral health.

Get Relief From a Tooth Infection in Just One Visit  With Virtually Painless Root Canal Treatment

Do you suspect you need a root canal? If so, it's important to have your tooth examined as soon as possible. Drs. Daniel Han, Sooyeon Ahn, and Kaylin Ju at Smile Designer of Leesburg in Leesburg and Arlington, VA, use high-tech digital X-rays and a gentle touch to examine your tooth. If necessary, we will use a cone-beam CT scanner to pinpoint the source of the pain and plan treatment. 

We bring big-city expertise to Leesburg without the big-city prices. If your symptoms leave you unsure that you need root canal treatment, we suggest calling. We can talk about what you are experiencing and recommend the appropriate next steps for your situation. 

You can ask our staff a question or request a consultation with our dentists by calling:

703-777-1162

dental staff
We serve the Leesburg, VA, area and surrounding communities through our locations in historic Leesburg and Arlington.

"You are in good hands with Smile Designer of Leesburg"

1

Reese Mowery

2020

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Looking for a dentist in Leesburg? Look no further! My wife and I found them walking around first Friday. The folks are more efficient than any dentist office I've been too in the past and I've been to quite a few. Friendly, helpful, and honest. Exactly what my wife and I were looking for!

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1

Debbi Davis

2019

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You are in good hands with Smile Designer of Leesburg. Drs. Han and Ahn combine state-of-the art technology with old-fashioned patient care to produce beautiful smiles. Kim, the dental assistant who now mans the front desk, has been with the practice for years, knows all the patients and is an absolute whiz with insurance. Smile Designer is a 5-star+ practice!

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Can I Wait to Get a Root Canal?

Waiting too long to get the care you need can result in tooth loss.

Unfortunately, infected pulp in a root canal will not heal on its own. The infected pulp needs to be removed and the pulp cavity must be disinfected to eliminate all traces of bacteria. 

Sometimes people think the root canal has healed itself because they no longer feel pain, but that just signals the nerves inside the tooth have died. The infection remains and can sometimes be seen in other symptoms such as abscesses and swelling around the gums. If it is left untreated, the infection can spread to your jaw, your blood, and throughout your body. 

Will I Lose My Tooth?

Getting a root canal treatment as soon as possible is the best course of action and, if done in a timely fashion, can avoid further damage to the tooth and the need for a tooth extraction.

Unfortunately, if the damage is too extensive, the tooth may need to be removed. If this occurs, we will likely recommend a dental implant, the only treatment that can replace your tooth roots. We can attach an implant-supported crown to keep other teeth from shifting out of place and to restore your ability to chew food normally. A dental implant will also stimulate bone growth in the jaw, keeping it strong. Our implantologist, Dr. Daniel Han, is board-certified. 

How Root Canal Therapy Is Performed

Your dentist will open your tooth through the top to access the infected pulp. The infected pulp is removed, the inside of the tooth is disinfected, and the tooth is filled to prevent reinfection. You can later return to one of our offices to have the tooth completely restored.

Root Canal Procedure

A root canal procedure is your first step to being pain-free when infection invades a tooth. The dentists at Smile Designer of Leesburg use advanced dental techniques to make root canal treatment comfortable and effective without having to go to an endodontist. We use digital X-rays and cone-beam CT scanners, when necessary, to carefully plan your root canal treatment.

We use high-end porcelain and zirconia to create crowns that will protect teeth after a root canal.
We use high-end porcelain and zirconia to create crowns that will protect teeth after a root canal.

Numbing the Treatment Area

Your comfort is our priority, so the first step is applying a local anesthetic to numb the treatment area and ensure virtually pain-free care.

Accessing the Canals

Your dentist will create an access point in the tooth to treat the root canals and pulp cavity.

Treating the Infection

Your dentist will remove the soft pulp from the root canals. Then the interior pulp cavity will be disinfected. To strengthen the tooth, posts may be inserted into the root canals.

Filling the Cavity

Your dentist will insert a rubber-like temporary filling called gutta-percha to help maintain the structure of the tooth. After placing the temporary filling, we will seal the tooth.

Protecting the Tooth

In many cases, a crown is added to a tooth that has undergone root canal treatment to strengthen it. Your dentist at Smile Designer of Leesburg may create the crown and apply it on the same day as your treatment using our CEREC technology; however, some patients will be given a temporary crown to wear for a few weeks to ensure the infection has been entirely removed before a permanent crown is placed. 

"Professional, ethical, and friendly" 

1

Julie S.

2022

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The dentists are highly trained and certified at multiple levels. They are NOT pushy about any treatments, unlike other places we tried. That makes me trust them when they say something is of concern. They also work with you if you don't have dental insurance, and even if you do have insurance they look for ways to bring down the cost. Overall a competent, professional, ethical, friendly dentists office, which I recommend without reservation!

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1

Sharon Yarborough

2021

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Our whole family goes to Smile Designer of Leesburg and we have had nothing but positive experiences! Kim always has a friendly greeting when you walk in and the entire staff makes you feel at ease from beginning to end. I never feel like unnecessary work is being recommended and completely trust the doctors. It has always been a smooth transaction between Smile Designer and our insurance company. I highly recommend Smile Designer of Leesburg!

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Our Premium Dental Crowns 

After a successful root canal, your dentist will cover the tooth with a dental crown, a "cap" that restores its shape and adds structural stability. Our practice uses zirconia and porcelain to create natural-looking restorations that result in a beautiful, functional smile. We can also make same-day CEREC crowns for some patients. 

The Smile Designer Leesburg office

Smile Designer Leesburg

Our practice has been proudly serving the Leesburg community for over 35 years. Dr. Daniel Han, Dr. Sooyeon Ahn, and Dr. Kaylin Ju have been voted as Top Dentists by Northern Virginia Magazine and are affiliated with:

  • American Board of Periodontology
  • American Dental Association
  • American Academy of Periodontology
  • American Association of Orthodontics
  • American Board of Prosthodontics

Reach out online or call (703) 777-1162 to schedule your initial consultation today.

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Leesburg Office

202 S King St
Leesburg, VA 20175

Open Today 8:00am - 2:00pm

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