Root canal

Root Canals

Making Teeth Healthy Again

Having tooth pain? Whether it’s sharp, persistent, or achy, it can lead to several uncomfortable symptoms such as trouble biting, concentrating on work, sleeping or even just managing to get through the day. At Lansdowne Dentistry by Design, we aim to get to the root of the problem and provide you with an effective solution for pain relief, which may include a root canal. You shouldn’t worry if your dentists, Dr. Khalil or Dr. Coyle, recommend a root canal to treat your damaged or infected tooth. According to the American Association of Endodontists, this simple, safe procedure treats and saves millions of teeth every year, and our expert team is here to make you as comfortable and relaxed as possible.

What Is A Root Canal?

A root canal is a very common dental procedure with the goal of saving a tooth from being extracted. Our dentists will remove the infection or decay from a soft tissue called the pulp. It is the center of the tooth and houses the nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue, which provide nutrients for the tooth and ultimately keep it alive. If it becomes infected or badly decayed, treatment is crucial to keep the tooth functionally normally.

The good news is, modern day root canal therapy is nothing like what it used to be! Our dentists stay at the forefront of continuing education and advanced techniques in dentistry in order to provide patients with enhanced comfort and relatively no pain at all! At Lansdowne Dentistry by Design, our goal is to have you smiling pain-free in no time.

Signs you may need a root canal:

  • Persistent tooth pain
  • Your tooth aches when you touch it
  • Swollen, tender gums
  • Pimples on your gums
  • Swollen jaw
  • Tooth becomes discolored

The Root Canal Procedure

At Lansdowne Dentistry by Design, we value honest and transparent communication with our patients. Our team takes a personal approach to your care to ensure you feel informed and confident in your oral health decisions. We will go over your unique case in detail and the best treatment options for you to make an empowered decision, including what to expect during a root canal procedure, which may include:

You will come to our office in Lansdowne, VA, for an initial consultation with one of our dentists, where they will perform an exam and assess the health of your tooth. We will take dental X-rays and may perform other tests to determine the full extent of your oral health issues and that a root canal is the best course of action.

During the procedure, our team will make you feel as comfortable as possible by first giving you a local anesthetic to numb the tooth and surrounding area so you don’t feel anything while our dentists perform the work.

They will make a small opening in the tooth in order to achieve the pulp’s chamber and remove the infection. Following, Dr. Khalil will clean and disinfect the tooth before filling the root canal with a putty-like material and a temporary dental filling is applied to prevent reinfection.

The final step is applying a dental crown to the top of the treated tooth in order to keep it strong and healthy for years to come. We tailor your crown to your tooth’s exact anatomy to ensure a precise fit, so it may be a couple of weeks after your procedure before it arrives at our office from the lab.

Woman wearing striped shirt smiling

Recovery From A Root Canal

Many patients at Lansdowne Dentistry by Design experience hardly any pain at all after a root canal, but your tooth may be a little sensitive for a few days after. We recommend you take some rest after your procedure and wait for the anesthesia to wear off before trying to drink or eat anything. Once you are ready to eat a meal or snack, you should avoid chewing on that side of your mouth until it is healed. Our team will provide you with instructions on how to care for your treated tooth after your procedure so you feel confident in your recovery once you leave our office.

Smiling couple perfect teeth dental patient

Honest Dentistry,
Beautiful Smile Results

For over 30 years, Lansdowne Dentistry by Design has delivered expert, personalized dental care to the Northern Virginia community. From routine checkups to advanced treatments, every service is tailored to meet each patient’s individual needs in a warm, welcoming environment. We have a compassionate team and a commitment to stress-free care, and treat every patient like family—empowering them to smile with confidence.