Willis Family DentistryWaynesboro

Restorative Dentistry

Root Canal Therapy

When the inside of a tooth becomes infected, root canal treatment clears the infection and saves the tooth — so you can keep your natural smile.

When a root canal is the right call

A tooth with deep decay, a crack, or trauma can develop infection in the inner pulp. That’s often what’s causing severe pain, sensitivity to hot or cold, or an abscess. Left alone, the infection can spread. Root canal therapy treats the infection and lets you keep the tooth.

What the visit feels like

Modern root canal treatment is comfortable. After local anesthesia, the infected pulp is gently removed, the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed, and the tooth is closed up. Most patients tell us the procedure was much easier than they were expecting — and they leave the visit relieved that the pain is gone.

After the root canal

A tooth that’s had a root canal usually needs a crown to protect it long-term. We’ll plan that with you and walk through the timing.

Save the tooth, end the pain

Call our Pelham Drive office to schedule a visit.

Request a Visit540-943-9703

Frequently Asked

Common questions

Does a root canal hurt?
It should not. With local anesthesia, most patients feel pressure and vibration but no pain during the procedure. The tooth is often more uncomfortable before the root canal — because of the infection — than after. Some mild soreness for a few days afterward is normal.
How many visits does it take?
Most root canals are completed in one or two visits depending on the tooth and how complicated the canals are. We will tell you which to expect at your evaluation visit.
Why do I need a crown after my root canal?
A tooth that has had a root canal is more brittle and more likely to crack under chewing force. A crown protects the tooth, restores chewing strength, and is what gives a treated tooth its long-term lifespan.
How long does a root-canal-treated tooth last?
With a properly placed crown and routine cleanings, a root-canal-treated tooth often lasts the rest of your life. The two most common reasons treated teeth are eventually lost are recurring decay around the crown margin and untreated cracks — both preventable with home care and check-ups.
Is a root canal cheaper than an extraction?
An extraction is cheaper up front, but replacing a missing tooth (with a bridge or implant) is almost always more expensive in the long run than saving the tooth with a root canal and crown. We will give you a written estimate for both options.

Why patients on Pelham Drive choose Willis Family Dentistry Waynesboro

Dr. Tyler Youn, DDS is calm, unhurried, and trained at University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry — and he believes the most important skill in dentistry is listening. Patients across Waynesboro, the 22980 corridor, Stuarts Draft, Fishersville, and Lyndhurst choose Willis Family Dentistry Waynesboro on Pelham Drive because every visit feels like a real conversation, not a sales pitch. We talk about cost up front, accept most major PPO insurance plans, and offer the Virginia Dental Club membership for patients without insurance — so cost is never the reason a smile waits. Open Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm at 101 Pelham Dr, Waynesboro 22980. Call 540-943-9703 or request an appointment online.