The most common reason for a root canal is tooth decay – a cavity that has spread to the inner pulp tissue of a tooth. This inner pulp tissue contains the small nerve, artery and vein in a tiny canal in the center of a tooth. Sometimes there is no decay but the tooth has a history of deep fillings, has received a traumatic blow or has been worn down from years of grinding your teeth (bruxism).

The most common symptoms that indicate that you may need a root canal are: dental pain from hot or cold temperatures, pressure or swelling in the tissue around the tooth. There may be a bump or abscess on the gum that drains infection. Sometimes the tooth gets darker than the other teeth. Occasionally, none of these signs and symptoms is present, but an infection is noticed on your routine yearly dental x-rays.

During a root canal, a small opening is made in the tooth and slender instruments are inserted into the canals to remove the infected or inflamed pulp. Patients are given local anesthesia for the procedure. The area surrounding the tooth is completely numb and the patient does not feel discomfort during the root canal procedure. Typically, antibiotics and pain medications are prescribed to ensure a comfortable recovery after the Novocain wears off.

Some teeth have one canal in the root, some two, three or even four canals. This accounts for the difference in time and cost associated with root canals on different teeth. When all of the pulp contents of the canals are removed, the canals are disinfected and sealed. After the root canal, a permanent filling and usually a crown are needed to keep the tooth strong. Root canals are usually covered by dental insurance.

Root canals are usually painless procedures but like teenagers, “you only hear about the bad ones.” The dental pain associated with a root canal is caused by the infection. The procedure removes the infected root and the source of the pain. Occasionally, a root canal will need additional visits to control the infection.

Root canal therapy is the treatment of pain and infection that allows dental patients to keep their teeth. All treatment prescribed by dentists at McCarl Dental Group in our Millersville, and Greenbelt Maryland dental offices is recommended to help maintain optimum tooth health and structure.

The dentists at McCarl Dental Group spend time explaining dental treatments and options to our patients. We want each of our patients to understand their dental needs and why we suggest certain types of treatments over others. The primary goal of McCarl Dental Group is to help our patients have a beautiful, healthy smile that will last a lifetime. Call us in Millersville, MD (410) 987-8000 or Greenbelt, MD (301) 474-4144 or visit our website www.McCarl Dental.com

Rachel has many valuable attributes that make her an outstanding employee. In addition to being compassionate and understanding to our dental patients, she is very intelligent, deep thinking and mature. Six years ago, Rachel started working as a receptionist at both our Greenbelt and Shipley’s Choice dental offices. She enjoys helping patients understand their dental insurance and all other administrative details of their dental treatment. Rachel appreciates the wide range of financial options available to patients at McCarl Dental Group including interest free dental financing, and whenever necessary, directs them to our Patient Advocate for additional financial assistance.

What many of our patients may not realize is that Rachel is also a very talented photographer. Her passion for art and design are apparent in her beautiful photographs. She specializes in photography of families and children and has taken fabulous pictures for her coworkers and the dentists at McCarl Dental Group.  Rachel and enjoys reading literary classics in her spare time. She and her husband Pete are the proud parents of two beautiful children.

We are very fortunate to have Rachel and her sisters helping our dental patients.  Rachel says, “I have always appreciated the flexibility that has been extended by the McCarls while I was in school and now that I have children. I feel blessed that I can work part-time at a place where I enjoy the people I work with and where the hours are perfect for me to be able to stay home with my two children. I enjoy helping patients and I feel good when they walk out our doors smiling.”

Fran is also our liaison for technical support.  She helps us keep our computer systems running smoothly and coordinates implementation of technological upgrades which recently included our iTero digital impression scanning system.

Fran is the dedicated and busy mother of five with four daughters and one son, the youngest of whom is a sophomore in high school.  She also has an adorable granddaughter.  Two of Fran’s daughters work for McCarl Dental Group.  Rosemary, a part-time dental assistant, is a sophomore at the University of Maryland College Park.  Dr. Dianna Lee also worked as a dental assistant during high school, college and dental school.  Dr. Lee graduated from the University of Maryland Baltimore College of Dental Surgery in May 2009 and works part-time at McCarl Dental Group as a dentist.  She provides excellent dental care to our patients!

While Fran helps in many areas of the dental practice, she tells us her role as Patient Advocate and Treatment/Financial Coordinator is her favorite. “I enjoy patient contact.   I have worked at many places and have often said and still say today, “I could not work for finer people”.  The dentists at McCarl Dental Group provide a great working environment with all the tools necessary to be successful at my job.  In addition, the Drs. McCarl have allowed me to attend many seminars and workshops that have provided me with additional information to help our dental patients.  I have learned a lot about dental health and dental treatment because they are so willing to teach their staff.  I thought this was a great office when I came here fourteen years ago and I am still impressed today that they continue to strive to better themselves and the services they offer to their patients.”

Karen has lived her entire life in a 10 mile radius centered in Historic Greenbelt. She has two wonderful daughters who are third generation patients at McCarl Dental Group. Her youngest daughter, April who works in the Alumni Office at University of Maryland College Park, is one of our patients featured in our new website.

During the spring and summer months, when she is not at the office, Karen can be found in her garden — her own tropical paradise.  She received the distinction from GHI of having the “Best Shady Yard”. Karen is a neighbor of our Greenbelt dental office and was hired over the “back yard fence” when her daughters started elementary school.

Karen says, “I’m one of those rare individuals who loves numbers and am so grateful to be working in an area I truly enjoy and for such an exceptional family as the McCarls.  They have been extended family to my daughters and me.  In fact my daughters’ resumes refer to the Drs. McCarls as “mentors”.  How blessed we are to have individuals of great character and integrity in our lives.” We feel the same about Karen! Thanks for your exceptional service to the Greenbelt and College Park dental patients at McCarl Dental Group!