Endodontics · In-house
Non-surgical root canal — without the drive to a specialist.
Root canals are easier than they sound, and you don’t need to drive to Charlottesville for one. Dr. Weatherwax handles non-surgical root canal therapy right here in our Stuarts Draft office, in a single calm appointment, with sedation available if you’d like it.
What is a root canal?
A treatment that saves a tooth instead of pulling it.
The inside of every tooth contains a soft tissue called pulp, which holds the nerves and blood vessels that kept the tooth alive while it was forming. When decay, a crack, or repeated dental work lets bacteria reach that pulp, the tissue gets inflamed and infected. The pain is often sharp, sometimes throbbing, and tends to wake people up at night.
A root canal removes the infected pulp, cleans the inside of the tooth, and seals the canal so bacteria can’t get back in. Once that’s done, the tooth is no longer painful and no longer infected — and you keep your own tooth instead of having it pulled and replaced.
The alternative to a root canal is usually an extraction, followed by a bridge or implant to fill the gap. Saving the natural tooth is almost always the better long-term choice if it’s salvageable.
No referrals needed
Why we keep this work in-house.
Most general dental practices send their root canal patients to a specialist (an endodontist). It’s a perfectly reasonable arrangement — specialists do this all day long — but it means a drive, a new chair, a new dentist you’ve never met, and often a longer wait for relief.
For our Stuarts Draft patients, that drive usually means Staunton or Charlottesville. We’d rather not put our patients through it. Endodontics is one of Dr. Weatherwax’s favorite areas of dentistry — she’s done a great deal of training in it — so we’ve set the practice up to handle these cases ourselves, with the same calm step-by-step approach you’d expect for any other appointment.
How we do it
What to expect at your appointment.
- Diagnosis.We’ll examine the tooth, take digital X-rays (and sometimes a 3D CBCT), and confirm a root canal is the right call.
- Sedation, if you want it. Nitrous oxide for relaxation, or oral sedation for a deeper calm. Both are optional. Both are well-established and safe.
- Numbing. Local anesthetic to make sure the tooth is completely numb before we begin.
- Treatment. A small opening, careful cleaning of the inside of the tooth, disinfection, and a permanent seal of the canals.
- Restoration. A temporary or permanent filling on top, and a plan for the crown that protects the tooth long-term.
Most root canals are finished in a single appointment of about 60 to 90 minutes. You’ll head home the same day, and the pain that brought you in is usually gone by the next morning.
After your appointment
Recovery and aftercare.
Most patients feel mild tenderness for a day or two and manage it with over-the-counter ibuprofen. Severe pain is rare. Eat softer foods for the first 24 hours, avoid chewing on the treated side until the permanent crown is placed, and keep up with your usual brushing and flossing.
We’ll see you back for the crown when the tooth has settled, usually within a few weeks. After that, the tooth functions like any other — cleanings every six months, no special maintenance.
Common questions
The questions we hear most.
Does a root canal hurt?
Modern root canal treatment is closer to a routine filling than the procedure people remember from twenty years ago. We numb the tooth thoroughly, work calmly, and most patients tell us the appointment was less uncomfortable than they expected. We also offer nitrous oxide and oral sedation if you'd prefer to be more relaxed throughout.
How long does a root canal take?
Most non-surgical root canals are finished in one appointment of about 60 to 90 minutes. Complex cases occasionally need a second visit. We'll give you a realistic time estimate before we start.
Why do most dentists refer root canals out?
Endodontics — root canal therapy — takes specialized training and time at the chair that not every general dentist enjoys. It happens to be one of Dr. Weatherwax's favorite areas of dentistry, which is why we keep this work in-house instead of sending patients to Staunton or Charlottesville.
Will I need a crown afterward?
Most teeth that need a root canal also need a crown afterward to protect what's left. We plan that work in the same treatment plan and discuss timing and cost up front.
What if I don't have insurance?
Virginia Dental Club members get a meaningful discount on root canal therapy. We also accept CareCredit financing and offer flexible in-office payment options. Ask at the front desk — we'll work something out.
Relief is closer than you think
Schedule a root canal consult.
If you have a tooth that’s aching, throbbing, or keeping you up at night, give us a call. We’ll get you in, take a look, and tell you honestly what’s going on.
New Patients Welcome
Ready to plan your visit?
Whether it’s been six months or six years since your last appointment, you’re welcome here. Getting started takes just a few minutes — and we’ll meet you where you are.