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.

What Is a Tooth Infection?

Infection can enter the tooth pulp, creating an abcess and spreading to the bloodstream

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 from the root canals and surrounding structures, relieve tooth pain, reinforce the structure of the tooth, and protect your oral health.

"Thank you Smile Designer." Patients Thank Our Team

1

Dusty Sparrow Reed

Leesburg, VA

2023

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Happy to have found this gem in downtown Leesburg. My favorite aspect of this practice is that I have never left with sore gums after a cleaning, they are gentile, but effective. i also love that they are professional, flexible and super friendly. Highly recommend

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1

Dion Jergo

Leesburg, VA

2023

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Dr Ju hooked me up great today. I had food stuck in my rear tooth for weeks, that hurt so bad, and got on my nerves. She got in there and worked her magic! I'm doing great, and eating comfortably now. Thank you Smile Designer

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How Root Canal Therapy Is Performed

Your dentist will open your tooth through the top to access the infected pulp in the root canals. The pulp is removed, the inside of the root canals and tooth are disinfected, and the tooth is filled to prevent reinfection. Your dentist may suggest topping your tooth with a dental crown to add an extra layer of protection. You can later return to our office for a final appointment to have the tooth completely restored.

Benefits of Root Canal Therapy

Better Oral Health

Without prompt treatment, the root canal infection can spread to surrounding teeth, resulting in overall bad oral health. Once a tooth is infected, you have two options: tooth extraction or root canal treatment. Our dentists can help restore your oral health and keep your tooth structure intact through root canal therapy. 

Relief From Pain

Misunderstanding surrounds the root canal procedure. Many people think it will be painful, but the truth is a root canal will relieve the pain you feel from the infection. The pain of a tooth infection can sometimes be unbearable. Find immediate relief with root canal therapy. 

Saves You Money

Early action can save you money in the long-run. If you treat your root canal infection sooner rather than later, your tooth is less likely to have suffered severe damage and can be restored with a crown or dental filling. Waiting to treat the infection may mean you need an extraction and dental implant–supported restoration, a lengthier and more costly treatment. 

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.

"Best dental practice I have ever been to." Thanks for the Reviews, Leesburg

1

Susan Cypher

Leesburg, VA

2023

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Best dental practice I have ever been to. Excellent and kind care is provided by all team members. Clean and calm office.

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1

Chezia Calloway

Leesburg, VA

2023

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My dental experience is always wonderful at Smile Designer of Leesburg. Dr. Han and the team are friendly, knowledgeable, and caring. They take extra time and effort making sure you have a great visit.

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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 filling called gutta-percha to help maintain the structure of the tooth. After placing the this filling, we will seal the tooth.

Protecting the Tooth

In many cases, a porcelain 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 filling for a few weeks to ensure the infection has been entirely removed before a permanent crown is placed. 

We Perform Everything In-House Request a Consultation

From using advanced rotary tools and CT scanners for state-of-the-art root canal therapy to restoring your tooth with a lifelike crown, we handle all steps of your root canal procedure from the comfort of our office. Call our Leesburg dental office or contact us online to achieve a healthier smile that's free of infection:

(703) 777-1162

"They are the best!"  Reviews From Our Leesburg Patients

1

Donna Schafer

Leesburg, VA

2023

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They always do such a great job here, they are the best!

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Michael Ricciardelli

Leesburg, VA

2023

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Had a lovely teeth cleaning. The staff was warm and welcoming.

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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. All crown procedures are performed in house by our dentists

Root Canal FAQs

Can I wait to get root canal treatment?

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. 

Can root canal therapy be done in one sitting?

Yes. Our root canal treatments are almost always done in one office visit, so that we can quickly resolve the threat to your oral health. You may need to visit us again after your treatment if you need a crown to restore your tooth fully. Though some patients may be able to receive a same-day crown during their visit, others will need a temporary filling so we can ensure the infection is completely gone before a crown is placed. 

Can root canal treatment be repeated?

Yes, root canal treatment can be repeated on a tooth multiple times before an extraction is necessary. If you've had a previous root canal treatment that didn't fully address your infection, or if the infection has returned, our dentists can perform the procedure again to clear away any lingering bacteria. 

What is the difference between a cavity filling and a root canal treatment?

A cavity filling is a simpler procedure than a root canal treatment. Fillings address surface-level tooth decay. Root canal therapy addresses infection that's spread internally to the tooth's pulp. 

"Highly recommend" Reviews From Our Compassionate Patients

1

Melissa Singh

Leesburg, VA

2023

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Always have an excellent experience! I never have to wait for my scheduled cleaning appointments, they always start on time. Finding dentists you can trust is not easy. I went to many before that I was not satisfied with. After finding Smile Designer, would now highly recommend to others.

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1

Courtney Campbell

Leesburg, VA

2023

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I lost a crown and chipped a tooth on Wednesday night. I arrived at dentist at opening time (8:00am) the next day to hope they can get me in soon to fix this. At 8:01 I’m in the chair being worked on. I definitely have no complaints.

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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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