Root Canal: What Is It?

If the pulp or soft tissue in a tooth gets infected, becomes exposed because of decay or is injured, you’re likely to experience quite a bit of pain. It can even make chewing intolerable. Endodontic surgery or dental root canal treatment can provide relief by clearing out the affected tissue.

When Is an Endodontic Procedure Necessary?

Infected or damaged pulp can’t repair itself. When you’re faced with extreme pain, you could have a tooth that needs root canal surgery. Some of the symptoms include:

pain that disrupts your sleep;
mild to severe pain that’s persistent;
discoloration or cavities deep in your tooth;
touch, heat or cold sensitivity;
pain when you bite down; and
swelling in the gums around the affected tooth.

What Are the Types of Root Canals?

The most-used endodontic therapy is a molar root canal. The procedure is effective for any affected teeth, including your front ones. If the treatment doesn’t succeed, an alternative therapy called an apicoectomy allows dentists to remove the root tip of the affected tooth. For children, a pediatric pulpotomy is an alternative that cleans diseased pulp but leaves the nerves intact.

Which Dentists Can Perform Endodontic Treatment?

In many cases, dental patients don’t need a special root canal dentist, formally called an endodontist. A general dentist can perform the procedure. You may only need an endodontist if your situation is complicated or if you need further treatment. Call us to schedule an appointment with a skilled dentist qualified to perform root canals.

What’s the Endodontic Therapy Process?

The root canal procedure takes just one or two hours at our office. Below are the steps for the process:

The affected tooth is numbed with an anesthetic to prevent you from feeling pain.
We isolate the tooth and keep the area clean by inserting a small shield.
The dentist opens the tooth crown to gain access to the pulp chamber.
We clean out the pulp and shape the canals using special instruments.
The dentist uses a fluid to disinfect the canals and remove remaining debris.
We use gutta-percha, a rubbery substance, to fill the canals and then seal them.
The dentist uses a root canal crown to cap the tooth to avoid more decay or fracturing.

Is the Recovery From Root Canals Painful?

A dental root canal may sound painful, but local anesthetic keeps you comfortable throughout the treatment. If you have tooth pain or other symptoms afterward, don’t put yourself at risk. Call our dentists for a follow-up and to get relief.

How Much Are Root Canals?

The root canal cost isn’t the same for everyone. The price depends on the severity of the damage, the preparation treatments needed, and whether or not seeing an endodontist is necessary. The number of roots that need to be cleaned affects the cost too. Front teeth tend to have only one root, so they’re cheaper to treat than molars that typically have four roots. Your out-of-pocket cost will be impacted by your insurance as well. Make an appointment so that we can assess your tooth and provide an estimate.

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I’ve been going to Ballston Dental Arts for several years now and they are the best! Dr. Kim and his staff are always providing amazing dental care! Louise is the best too! She is always warm and friendly and provide outstanding care!
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I really enjoy going to this practice. I am always able to get an evening appointment when no other time is convenient for me. The entire staff is incredibly pleasant and professional. They are all great at what they do, and my teeth feel and look great afterwards.
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I like Dr.kim and all the people that work in this office. I have been coming to this dentist office for the last three years. They are very carrying and on time. They take good care of my teeth which is everything to me. Thank you. I recommend this dentist.
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Everyone was extremely nice, knowledgeable, and helpful. I am definitely making this place my primary dentist office.
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It can be overwhelmingly difficult to find a dentist, and even more difficult to compare them. I work directly with health plans, and know that you typically don’t get such transparent pricing quotes from anyone in the medical profession. The staff is excellent and friendly, and Dr. Kim is a talented dentist. I will be returning and recommending this practice.
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I have had multiple procedures at BDA and every time I have had a great experience. The office manager, Rebecca, is helpful and returns emails and messages quickly. Sheyla, the dental assistant, is attentive and eases any anxiety that someone may feel at the dentist. The doctor takes his time, explains everything, and is extremely kind. I recently had an extraction done and I had zero pain during…
Jennifer K.
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I have been in Dr. Kim’s care for over 15 years, and have had extensive dental work performed by him and his team. I don’t believe its possible to be in better hands, as he has delivered the very best dental care I have been under, and my previous dentist was the Head of the Board of Dentistry for the State of Texas. He is the best dentist I’ve ever had, and his professionalism a…
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I’ve only been here once, but it was the best and most thorough dentist visit I’ve ever had.
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Michelle did a great cleaning. Thorough but gentle
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Friendly, knowledgable and detail oriented, my appointments are always expedient but informative and complete. This place is great and I always feel welcome and able to ask questions!
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I trust Dr. Kim and his team to do excellent work! Very smooth and friendly.
Mary S.
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Attention to detail, fastidious, immaculate, thorough, state-of-the-art professional service. Highly organized, friendly and efficient staff, I’ve never had any problem or had to wait more than a few minutes. Convenient, flexible appointment times work well for me. Probably not for the bargain-hunter, though.Thank you Dr. Kim.
Dan T.
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Another excellent appointment!! Been going here afor a few years now and I actually look forward to going to the dentist. WHO KNEW!! Cleanings are so comfortable it feels like a massage believe it or not. The staff is super friendly and awesome! If your looking for a new Dentist this is the spot!
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I love going to Dr. Kim. The office and staff are warm and inviting. Super professional. They have you in and out quickly. The cleaning is thorough and painless. Going to the dentist is no hardship. I highly recommend him.
Doug S.
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Best dentist I’ve ever visited. The staff and the dentist were very friendly and made me feel at ease. The process was explained to me so I knew the purpose of everything they were doing in my mouth. The office is pretty cool too, it has some very nice paintings and some soothing jazz was played in the background.
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Dr. Kim is a real professional. His work is exceptional. Perhaps, Dr. Kim’s greatest talent is his caring treatment of his patients. When I see his smiling facing I am comforted and know that he is concerned for me and my welfare. I have recommended Dr. Kim to my family and friends and will continue to do so.
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My first experience with The staff at Ballston Dental Arts was one of the best I have ever had. I had big hopes and came out being more impressed than I thought I could be! To say I owe my smile to them would be an understatement. I am grateful for the way they handle the insurance claims and should a question arise, they serve as a great resource. I would recommend them again and again! best team…
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Professional, first-class service! Staff is a pleasure to deal with and the office is immaculate!
William L.
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The review is based on my most recent visit – yesterday and last week. I continue to absolutely LOVE Ballston Dental Arts. Dr. Kim is a gem… fast, efficient, attentive and caring with a wonderful sense of humor and charisma while still maintaining the obvious answer as to why he is considered the certified skilled expert on the latest developments in the Dental profession. I have compl…
Ariel J.
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I’ve lived in the DC Metro Area for almost 8 years and have known Dr. Kim for almost 7. I recently went back to him for my bi-yearly check-up and cleaning. As usual, the staff was outstanding. They were courteous, respectful and helpful. The little accoutrements such as the hot lavender towels post-treatment, the dental kit (e.g., toothbrush, the latest in dental floss or teeth cleaning devi…
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Fantastic establishment, top to bottom.
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Dr. Kim gets right to the point and has an awesome team around him. Thank you for making sure that I got the best laser gum surgery care and I love that my gums do not bleed anymore.
Jared S.
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Streamlined dental care! If you want the latest, least painful, and most expert care, come to Ballston Dental Arts. I have been a patient for many years, and I can truly say that Dr. Kim is up on all the latest advancements in dental health. He is a dentist because he loves the profession.
Judith P.
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The staff are great, super friendly. Everything is clean and high-tech. I go there for the CEREC milling machine he has – crowns in one session. The dental hygienists are pros and are kind. For me the location is great as it is walking straight from the metro. Recommend highly.
Jeffrey R.
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My experience with Dr. Kim and his staff @ Ballston Dental Arts has always been exceptionally good. Great service, friendly and professional staff.
Catherine S.
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During the past year and a half, I have had some major restoration work done, including a front tooth extraction & implant! I needed this restorative work primarily due to pre-existing handiwork from mediocre (although at the time, I thought those dentists were top-quality) dentistry. An extraordinary advantage of Dr. Kim (and crew), aside from the superior quality of skillsets, is that Dr. K…
Vivian J.
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Location of the office is great, right next to Ballston metro which makes it easy for me to commute from DC. Dr.Kim knows a lot about dentistry and always does his best at letting me know what is going on with my teeth. Girls upfront take care of my insurance and they really bend backwards to make the customers happy and most important they make me feel comfortable as I really never had a great ex…
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The staff are always (ALWAYS) super cheerful, smiling and incredibly friendly–almost to the point of being unreal, but at the same time it feels genuine. This is from the time you walk in the door until you leave–plus, most of the staff actually introduces themselves, which is SO NICE. I can’t believe how many years I went to my old dentist and didn’t know the names of half…
Kaitlin K.
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Dr. Kim has been my dentist for almost two years. It’s not usually pleasant to see a dentist, but this practice makes it the best possible experience! The office staff is always friendly and willing to do anything to make you at home. I only go twice a year, but they know me by name as soon as I walk through the door. The dental hygentists are thourogh with thier cleanings and Dr. Kim is pro…
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Root Canal & Endodontics in Arlington, VA