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Root Canals
Comfortable, Stress-Free Root Canals

With our gentle approach and calming sedation methods, you will never have to fear a root canal again!

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Root Canal Treatment in Vienna, VA

woman suffering from pain in Vienna, VA

Based on decades of unfortunate myths and misinformation, root canals are one of the most dreaded (and misunderstood) procedures in dentistry.

We Put Your Comfort First

Part of the problem is the myth that root canal treatment is painful. In reality, the infection that makes treatment necessary is the source of pain. Root canal treatment is needed to relieve the pain and save a badly infected tooth from extraction.

Even so, the team at Vienna Family Dental and Facial Esthetics understands that you may still be apprehensive when facing a root canal. We will make your comfort our first priority and help you see that a stress-free root canal really is possible.

Why a Root Canal Is Necessary

Trauma, injury, fracture, or decay can cause an infection and severe pain if it penetrates the pulp of your tooth. During a root canal, we carefully remove the damaged or diseased tissue to eliminate the infection and preserve the natural structure of your tooth. 

Woman setting in a dental chair in Vienna Family DentalThe first step is to numb your mouth so you don't feel anything. Next, our doctors make a small hole in the back of your tooth to gain access to the inside. When we're confident that the infection has been removed, we fill the cleaned-out space and then seal the tooth.

A temporary filling is placed to protect the tooth while it heals. Since a root-canaled tooth can become brittle, we recommend the placement of a dental crown for protection.

Eliminating Your Anxiety

Our experienced team has performed hundreds of root canals for our patients over the years.

We know that a gentle word and a compassionate touch can go a long way toward minimizing your anxiety. But we also offer several comforting sedation options so you can just sit back, relax, and get the care you need.

Nitrous oxide – This mild form of sedation offers calming effects that last only as long as we're administering the gas. With nitrous, you will feel calm and mildly euphoric as the activities around you fade into the background. When your procedure is finished, you will feel refreshed and ready to go about your usual daily routine.

Oral conscious sedation – Our doctors will prescribe a sedative for you to take about an hour before your appointment. This gives the medicine time to work so that when you arrive at our office, you will feel calm and relaxed for the duration of your procedure. It takes several hours for the effect of the medication to wear off, so you will need a driver to get you to and from your appointment.

IV sedation – If you experience severe anxiety, we also offer IV (intravenous) sedation. Since IV sedation goes directly into your bloodstream, the effects are immediate. You will remain in a semi-conscious state throughout your procedure with little to no memory afterward of what happened. 

In addition to sedation, we offer stress-reducing amenities like pillows, blankets, and noise-canceling headphones. Listen to your favorite tunes on Pandora or Spotify and relax while we work to improve your oral health.

Please Call Our Office for Relief

If you are currently in pain and need immediate attention, please call our Vienna dental office at (703) 281-7104. 

Dr. Paino understands how the pain of an infected root canal can take over your life, so he will do everything possible to see you the same day to provide the relief you desperately need.

Dr. Rudolph is very sensitive and patient to my needs

I am an extremely sensitive patient, always have been afraid of doctors and dentists but my experience since I have started seeing Dr. Rudolph has always been phenomenal. Dr. Rudolph is very sensitive and patient to my needs as well as the rest of the staff, especially Ann whom I've seen many times over the past several years. My husband and I have now relocated but travel back to see Dr. Rudolph for our appointments. My husband is especially impressed with the new technology that is always present in the office ensuring the best oral health care for us.
Erica

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Frequently Asked Questions

Root canal therapy is a standard dental procedure where your dentist will remove an infection from the interior pulp of your tooth. Once the infection is removed, they will seal the tooth and place a dental crown on top to strengthen and protect it. Root canals have a bad reputation for being lengthy and painful, but the truth is that the root canal procedure is painless and will alleviate your dental pain in that tooth. One question you may have is whether there is a risk of further infection after your root canal. Let’s find out more.

Is There a Risk of Infection after a Root Canal?

Although it’s uncommon, you could develop an infection after a root canal if any of the following occur:

  • Bacteria enter the root canal site during the procedure
  • Your tooth’s root cracks
  • You have a defective filling placed on top of your affected tooth
  • Your dental crown decays

Signs of an Infected Root Canal

Even though it’s rare for an infection to develop, it can happen days, weeks, or years later. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, don’t ignore them:

  • Lingering or throbbing pain when you bite down or chew
  • Tooth discoloration
  • Swollen and tender gums
  • A pimple on your gums
  • Persistent bad breath

Call your Vienna dental office as soon as possible for an appointment if you have symptoms.

Need Information about Root Canals in Vienna, VA?

If you have questions about root canal therapy or the potential risks associated with root canals, we are here to help! Our dental team can answer your questions and help you form a treatment plan that works for you. Call us at (703) 281-7104 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

You just scheduled an appointment for root canal treatment and are wondering how long recovery will take and what to expect. Here's a timeline to help you understand the process:

Day One: After Root Canal Treatment

Take the remainder of the day off if possible to rest and recover.

If you received sedation, arrange for someone to drive you home and avoid making important decisions.

Numbness from local anesthesia typically lasts 2–4 hours.

Manage Discomfort

Prevent discomfort by starting prescribed or recommended medications before the numbness wears off.

  • Apply ice packs for 15–20 minutes at a time to reduce swelling.
  • Stick to soft foods and avoid chewing on the treated side.

Day Two: Getting Back to Normal

Most people return to work and normal activities, but may continue to experience:

  • Mild to moderate discomfort that's manageable with medication
  • Slight swelling around the treated area
  • Sensitivity when biting down on the treated tooth

Days 3-7: Steady Improvement

Discomfort should steadily decrease each day. If you experience pain, severe swelling, or signs of infection, contact your dentist immediately.

Root canal follow-up care:

  • Keep your follow-up appointment to complete treatment with a permanent crown
  • Maintain good oral hygiene while being gentle around the treated area

Root Canal Treatment in Vienna, VA

Your team at Vienna Family Dental will provide recommendations and information about recovery, but if you still have questions, please call us so we can help you feel confident and informed about the process.

We perform a root canal to repair and save a badly damaged or infected tooth. Millions of root canals are performed every year with the purpose of saving teeth from extraction.

There are several reasons why a root canal might be recommended. A tooth that has fractured below the gum line or has had deep decay, repeated dental treatments, and trauma can all result in the need for endodontic (root canal) treatment. Without treatment, your pain will worsen, and the tooth will ultimately need to be extracted.

During a root canal procedure, we remove damaged pulp, clean and disinfect the canals of the tooth, then fill and seal it.

We know that root canals have a bad reputation, but the team at Vienna Family Dental and Facial Esthetics puts your comfort first. We have decades of experience helping our patients receive treatments like root canals easily and comfortably.

In addition to attentive care, we offer nitrous oxide and oral sedation to help you stay calm and relaxed. We even offer IV sedation administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist who visits our office.

If you think you may be dealing with an infected root canal or are currently in pain, please call our Vienna dental office at (703) 281-7104. We will make every effort to see you as soon as possible, usually the same day.

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Meet Our Doctors:

Dr. David Paino , DDS

Dr. David Paino DDS

"Dentistry is the absolute perfect profession for me. Thinking outside the box to solve problems requires a combination of intellect and manual dexterity that suits my skill ...

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Meet Dr Brandon Grubic our Dentist in Vienna Family Dental

Dr. Brandon Grubic DDS
Dentist

“Dentistry is a constantly evolving profession and I love keeping up with the latest ...

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August 22, 2025

Debunking Root Canal Myths: What You Really Need to Know

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For many, the words root canal inspire fear, and even terror. The phrase itself isn’t helping. It sounds like something really painful, right? In the olden days of yore, this might have been the case. But modern root canal procedures have come a long way. Let’s talk about some ...
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Root Canal vs. Tooth Extraction: Which Option Is Right for You?

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Root Canal Aftercare: Tips for a Swift and Smooth Recovery

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When you hear the words “root canal,” you might cringe and imagine a lengthy, painful dental procedure. However, root canal therapy is a standard treatment to remove infected pulp tissue and save your natural tooth.

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