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Root canal therapy

Save your tooth with a root canal

Root canal therapy relieves pain, clears infection and helps keep your natural tooth. Dr. Vineetha Vijayakumar and the team at Virginia Dental Care explain every step.

Request an appointment Call (703) 276-1010
915 N Quincy St, Arlington, VA 22203
Mon-Thu: 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
New patients and emergencies welcome
Signs you may need a root canal

Listen to your tooth.

A root canal treats a tooth whose inner tissue is infected, inflamed or damaged. These are common warning signs. Only an exam and X-rays can confirm what you need.

Severe toothache

Pain that is deep or throbbing, or that gets worse when you chew or press on the tooth.

Lingering sensitivity

Discomfort to hot or cold that lasts long after the drink or food is gone.

A darkened tooth

A tooth that turns gray or dark can mean the inner tissue is damaged.

Swollen, tender gums

Swelling or tenderness near one tooth can point to infection.

A bump on the gum

A small pimple-like bump on the gum can be a sign of an abscess draining.

A cracked or chipped tooth

A deep crack can let bacteria reach the inside of the tooth.

No pain does not always mean no problem. Some infected teeth have no symptoms and are found on an X-ray. If you have swelling with fever, or trouble breathing or swallowing, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Crown Root
Inside your tooth

Why the inside of a tooth matters.

At the center of every tooth is soft tissue called pulp, with nerves and blood vessels. When it becomes infected or damaged, a root canal cleans it out so the tooth can stay in place.

Enamel
The hard outer shell that protects the crown.
Dentin
The layer beneath the enamel that supports the tooth.
Pulp and root canals
Nerves and blood vessels that run from the crown down through the root.
Gum and bone
Hold the root in place. Untreated infection can damage the bone.
A dentist points to a dental X-ray on a tablet while a patient listens
What happens during a root canal

A routine procedure, step by step.

A root canal physically clears out active bacterial infection from deep inside the tooth to relieve pain and prevent an abscess from spreading.

  1. 01Exam and X-rays

    We find the cause of your symptoms and confirm that a root canal is the right treatment.

  2. 02Comfort first

    The area is numbed with modern anesthetics so you are comfortable during treatment.

  3. 03Clean the inside

    The damaged or infected tissue is removed and the canals are cleaned and shaped.

  4. 04Seal and protect

    The canals are filled and sealed, and the tooth is restored with a filling or a crown.

Myths and facts

What people worry about.

Root canals have an old reputation. Here is how treatment works today.

MythA root canal is painful.

FactWith modern anesthetics and advanced instruments, treatment is no more uncomfortable than a standard filling. The pain people remember usually comes from the infection, not the treatment.

MythIt is easier to just pull the tooth.

FactDentists prioritize saving natural teeth whenever possible. Keeping your tooth can help you avoid the gap and replacement that follow an extraction.

MythIf it stops hurting, it is fine.

FactPain can fade when the nerve dies, but the infection can remain. Untreated, it can form an abscess that damages the surrounding bone.

Root canal or extraction?

Two paths, one goal: a healthy mouth.

Your dentist will review both options with you after the exam and X-rays.

Root canal therapy

  • Best when the tooth can still be restored
  • Removes infection from inside the tooth
  • Keeps your natural tooth in place
  • Usually finished with a filling or crown
Read about root canal therapy

Tooth extraction

  • Recommended when the tooth cannot be restored
  • Ends an active infection by removing the tooth
  • Replacement options are planned afterward
  • Crowns, bridges, implants or dentures may follow
Read about tooth extractions
A relaxed patient sitting in a dental chair
After your root canal

Protect the tooth while it heals.

Typical guidance includes the points below. Your dentist will give you instructions for your own tooth, and those come first.

  • Some tenderness is common at first; ask what you can take for it
  • Go easy on the treated tooth until it is fully restored
  • Keep brushing and flossing as usual
  • Return for the final filling or crown as planned
  • Keep up regular checkups so the tooth stays healthy

Call the office if pain or swelling gets worse instead of better, or if your bite feels uneven.

Dr. Vineetha Vijayakumar
Meet your dentist

Dr. Vineetha Vijayakumar, DMD, MDS, MPH

Dentist, Orofacial Pain & Dental Sleep Medicine Specialist

Care led by Dr. Vineetha Vijayakumar, with a focus on oral wellness, orofacial pain, TMJ disorders, dental sleep medicine, and comprehensive dentistry.

Read the full profile
Financing and insurance

Total financial transparency.

Ask about membership savings, financing, major payment methods and HSA/FSA cards before starting treatment.

In-house membership

A simple savings plan for patients without traditional dental insurance, with preventive care such as routine exams, professional cleanings and needed digital diagnostic X-rays included under the plan terms.

Flexible payment options

Ask the office about Cherry financing, major credit and debit cards, personal checks, cash, and using HSA or FSA debit cards for medically necessary dental care.

Insurance support

We do not accept Medicaid payments. However, we're happy to provide you with financing options prior to your appointment.

Questions

Root canal FAQ

Does a root canal hurt?

Thanks to modern dental anesthetics and advanced instruments, a root canal is no more uncomfortable than receiving a standard dental filling. Your dentist talks through comfort options before treatment begins.

How do I know if I need a root canal?

Common signs include severe tooth pain, lingering sensitivity to hot or cold, a darkened tooth, swollen or tender gums, or a small bump on the gums. Sometimes there are no symptoms and the problem is found on an X-ray. Only an exam can confirm what you need.

Will I need a crown after a root canal?

Often the tooth is restored afterward with a filling or a crown. Your dentist will recommend what is best for the tooth and explain it before treatment.

Is it better to pull the tooth instead?

Dentists prioritize saving natural teeth whenever possible. An extraction is recommended when a tooth cannot be restored. Your dentist will review both options and any replacement needs with you.

What happens if I wait?

An infected tooth rarely heals on its own. Left untreated, infection can lead to an abscess that spreads and damages the surrounding bone. If you have swelling with fever, or trouble breathing or swallowing, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Do you accept insurance or offer financing?

Virginia Dental Care does not accept Medicaid payments. The office is happy to provide financing options before your appointment, including an in-house membership plan, Cherry financing, major credit and debit cards, personal checks, cash, and HSA or FSA cards.

Where is the office and what are the hours?

915 N Quincy St, Arlington, VA 22203, near Ballston, Clarendon, Virginia Square, Courthouse and Rosslyn. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM; the office is closed Friday through Sunday.

Ready to save your tooth?

Request an appointment online, or call the office. The office confirms the exact appointment time. For urgent pain, swelling or trauma, please call.

Request appointment Call (703) 276-1010
Arlington dental care

Find us near Ballston and Clarendon.

Virginia Dental Care
915 N Quincy St
Arlington, VA 22203
Mon-Thu: 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
Fri-Sun: Closed
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