Endodontics is the dental specialty that deals with diagnosing and treating problems inside the tooth, including the pulp and root, where tooth pain, infection, or inflammation often originate. The services we provide at Access Endodontics in Ellicott City relieve pain, protect your natural teeth and preserve your long-term oral health. Root canal therapy is our most common procedure. It works by cleaning and sealing the inside of the tooth so you can keep your natural smile and avoid extraction.
During your first visit, we will ask about your symptoms. This could include pain when you bite, lingering sensitivity to hot or cold, or any history of trauma or cracks in the tooth. We will review your dental and medical history, take diagnostic images including a 3-dimentional scan, and perform a clinical exam to determine the cause. Once we understand the issue, we will explain your options.
We want your first visit to feel safe and easy. Our team, led by Dr. Lina Jarboe, will answer your questions, explain what will happen during and after treatment, and help you with insurance or scheduling so that getting care is as smooth as possible.
Learn more about our endodontic services in Ellicott City, MD.
Scheduling your appointment
If you need endodontic treatment in Columbia, MD, we are here to support you every step of the way. We perform root canal treatment, retreatment, treatment of cracked or injured teeth, and other endodontic procedures using modern equipment and methods that help us deliver more precise care with less discomfort.
Contact Access Endodontics online or call 410-304-7226 to schedule your first visit. If your general dentist suspects you need endodontic treatment such as a root canal, you can request a referral.
If you are not sure whether your symptoms warrant seeing an endodontist, you can start with your general dentist. Often after initial X-rays they can determine whether an evaluation by a specialist is necessary.
What to prepare before your visit
- A referral slip or notes from your dentist, if you have one
- A list of symptoms, such as when teeth hurt and what triggers tooth sensitivity
- A list of medications, allergies, and medical conditions to keep your dental and medical records accurate.
- Dental insurance card and photo ID
- Recent dental X-rays, if available, to avoid duplicate imaging
Initial consultation and examination
When you first see the endodontist at Access Endodontics, the goal is to gather all the information needed to arrive at an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plan. Below is what usually happens in that process. Your endodontist will ask detailed questions about your overall health as well as your dental background. Conditions, medications, or past dental work all matter. They help identify factors that influence tooth pain or affect how treatment will be done. Some examples:
- A sinus infection may cause pressure that makes upper teeth feel sore or “full” even when there is no dental decay.
- Jaw joint (temporomandibular joint, TMJ) disorders can produce pain that feels like it comes from a tooth.
- Facial nerve disorders (for example, trigeminal neuralgia) can mimic or complicate tooth pain.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may erode tooth enamel over time from acid, exposing dentin and increasing sensitivity.
- Frequent consumption of acidic foods or drinks, or endurance training with exposure to acidic sports beverages, can dry out the mouth and wear enamel, again making teeth more sensitive.
- Use of certain medications or systemic conditions that reduce saliva or alter your teeth’s nerve sensitivity can also affect how pain presents and how teeth respond.
By reviewing your complete medical record, medication list, allergies, and past dental treatments (crowns, fillings, trauma, etc.), the endodontist ensures that “tooth pain” is examined in context, and no relevant factor is overlooked.
Discussion of symptoms and concerns
You will be able to share your experiences in detail. Some of the topics you’ll be asked about include:
- When your teeth hurt, and what seems to bring on the pain (for example, cold drinks, hot food, sweet foods, biting down).
- What kind of pain: is it sharp or dull, constant or intermittent; does it radiate to the jaw, head, or ears; is it localized to one tooth or more broadly felt?
- Any history of recent dental work — fillings, crowns, or repairs — and whether they replaced or restored something that used to work well.
- Whether you’ve noticed cracks, chips, or trauma to the tooth or surrounding teeth. Sometimes cracks are subtle.
- If you use any whitening or bleaching products that can increase sensitivity.
- Habits such as teeth clenching or grinding (bruxism), sleep habits, or whether you wake up with jaw soreness. These can place stress on tooth roots or contribute to symptoms.
This discussion helps the endodontist recreate the conditions that trigger your symptoms and isolate which tooth or area is most likely the source of pain.
Clinical examination and diagnostic tests
After the history and symptom discussion, diagnosis moves into physical and diagnostic testing. Access Endodontics uses advanced tools and techniques, such as laser-assisted irrigation & disinfection, for precision and comfort.
Some of the typical tests include:
- Targeted dental X-rays and CBCT scans to view the tooth root, the pulp chamber, and the bone around the tooth. These help detect infection, abscesses, and structural issues.
- Thermal (hot / cold) tests on selected teeth to assess how the nerve responds. This helps determine if the pulp is healthy, inflamed, or infected.
- Percussion (tapping) and bite tests to see if biting pressure causes discomfort or if tapping on the tooth reveals tenderness. This may indicate inflammation in the ligament or bone around the root.
- Palpation of gums and surrounding tissue to look for swelling, lumps, or tenderness that might suggest an abscess or spread of infection.
- Visual inspection to look for cracks, fractures, discoloration, or restorations that may have failed.
- Evaluation of gums and periodontal probing to differentiate between gum disease and endodontic infection or to identify possible combined periodontal-endodontic problems.
If the initial exam suggests that your pain might not be dental in origin (for example, sinus issues, TMJ, or nerve pain), your endodontist may recommend follow-up with your general dentist or a medical specialist to rule out non-dental causes.
Understanding your diagnosis
Once the examination is complete, your endodontist will explain exactly what condition is affecting your tooth, as well as possible causes and severity. They will explain how serious the situation is, whether the tooth can be saved, and what treatments are recommended. Root canals, crowns, periodontal treatment, or possibly surgery may be required depending on how far the infection or damage has spread.
Root canal therapy
A common treatment is root canal therapy, where the inflamed or infected pulp is removed, the canals inside the root are cleaned and disinfected, and then the space is sealed to prevent reinfection. This lets you keep your natural tooth and avoid extraction.
Sometimes, if the condition seems mild or reversible, we may opt for symptom management and monitoring first. This is especially true if we’re not yet sure the pulp is permanently damaged. In other cases, if your general dental exam identifies issues such as bruxism (teeth grinding), gum disease, or a damaged restoration contributing to the problem, you may be referred back for supportive care. This could be solutions such as fitting you for a mouthguard, improving gum health, or repairing crowns and fillings.
Benefits vs. risks
There are definite advantages to going through root canal treatment when indicated:
- Significant pain relief
- Preservation of your natural tooth, which helps maintain chewing function, jaw alignment, and appearance
- Preventing spread of infection to bone or adjacent teeth
Like all medical/dental procedures, there are also risks to understand:
- Rare cases of persistent infection if bacteria aren’t fully eliminated or if the seal fails
- Possibility of needing retreatment in a small percentage of cases
- Long-term risk of tooth fracture if a treated tooth doesn’t receive proper restoration (e.g. a crown)
According to research, success rates for primary root canal therapy generally fall in the range of 90-95% under good conditions.
Your personalized treatment plan
At Access Endodontics, we build a plan tailored to you. That means considering your symptoms, diagnostic imaging (X-rays, possibly advanced scans), medical history, and how urgent the situation is. If there is an acute infection, antibiotics may be prescribed to reduce swelling or risk. We’ll also discuss whether one visit or multiple visits are needed, whether a crown will be necessary afterward, and what your comfort options are during the procedure.
What happens during treatment
Your root canal procedure at Access Endodontics follows clearly defined steps to relieve infection, stop pain, and preserve your natural tooth. Your comfort and understanding are priorities every step of the way.
Procedure steps
- First, your endodontist will administer local anesthesia to numb the tooth and surrounding gum tissue. The procedure does not begin until you are fully comfortable.
- The tooth is isolated with a rubber dam. That keeps saliva, bacteria, and moisture away so the treatment area remains clean and dry.
- An opening is made through the top (chewing surface) of the tooth to reach the pulp chamber. This gives access to the infected or damaged pulp and root canals beneath.
- Small files are used to clean the canals. The infected pulp tissue is removed, then the canals are shaped to allow thorough disinfection. Irrigating solutions and advanced laser technology are used to flush out bacteria and debris.
- Once cleaned and shaped, the canals are filled with a biocompatible material and sealed to prevent reinfection. A temporary filling is placed in the access opening to protect the tooth until a permanent restoration (crown or filling) can be placed.
Pain management and comfort
Most patients describe little to no pain during the procedure because of the anesthesia. After treatment, you may feel mild soreness or sensitivity for a day or two. Over-the-counter pain relievers are usually enough to manage this. If you feel anxious about dental procedures, inform us ahead of time so we can offer you extra support.
Duration and number of visits
A single session is enough for many root canal treatments, although more complex cases might require a second visit. Examples are procedures involving multiple canals, severe infection, or cracks in the tooth. During your initial consultation your endodontist will estimate how much time is needed based on your tooth’s anatomy and the severity of the condition.
Post-treatment care and follow up
After treatment, you should avoid chewing on the treated tooth until your permanent restoration is placed. You should brush gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush and floss carefully. If you experience sensitivity, a desensitizing toothpaste may help. Limiting acidic foods and drinks helps prevent irritation.
If within 48 hours you notice increasing pain, swelling, new sensitivity or a bump on the gums near the treatment site, call the office. You will also need to schedule a follow-up with your general dentist for your permanent restoration (crown or filling).
Patient comfort and support
At Access Endodontics, your comfort is a priority. From the moment you contact us until after your procedure, we aim to provide warm care, clear communication, and effective pain relief in a welcoming environment. We use leading-edge technology and a gentle chairside manner so that many patients report minimal discomfort.
Managing dental anxiety
We understand anxiety about dental treatment is common, and we take it seriously. Here are some practical steps you can take to manage anxiety:
- Use breathing techniques or relaxation before and during your appointment (slow, deep breaths; counting; or visualization). These have been shown to help reduce stress.
- Bring distractions like headphones with music or something comforting to hold (stress ball, etc.).
- Wear comfortable clothing.
- Avoid caffeine or large amounts of sugar immediately before your visit if those tend to increase your anxiety or jitteriness.
- Get to your appointment early so you are not rushing, and ask questions beforehand so you know what will happen.
And most importantly, talk openly with your endodontist about your fears. Let them know what parts of dental visits make you anxious so they can address them.
Prevention tips to keep teeth healthy after your visit
- Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and a soft bristled toothbrush, and floss once daily to care for teeth and gums.
- Limit acidic foods and citrus fruits, drink enough water, and avoid sipping sugary drinks.
- Avoid using alcohol-based mouthwash multiple times per day if it irritates.
- Wear a mouth guard if you grind your teeth during sleep to protect enamel and reduce toothache risk.
- See your dentist regularly to catch cavities early and protect your oral health.
- If you have sensitive teeth, ask your dentist about desensitizing toothpaste and in-office options.
Ask your dentist: FAQs on oral health
- Rinse gently with lukewarm water and floss to remove food.
- Avoid chewing on the painful side, very hot or cold drinks, and acidic foods.
- Use a desensitizing toothpaste if sensitivity is mild, and a soft bristled toothbrush.
- Do not place aspirin on the gum or tooth, since it can burn tissues.
Call your dentist or an endodontist if pain persists, if your teeth hurt with biting, if you notice swelling, or if you think you have a cracked tooth.
Diffuse sensitivity can come from:
- Aggressive brushing that wears tooth enamel and exposes dentin.
- Recent whitening products or overuse of strong mouthwash multiple times daily.
- Acid exposure from citrus fruits, acidic foods, or gastroesophageal reflux disease.
- Grinding or clenching, which strains the jaw and teeth.
- A sinus infection that makes upper teeth ache.
If symptoms do not improve, ask your dentist for an evaluation to rule out cavities or a problem with a single tooth root.
Possible causes include minor enamel wear, dentin hypersensitivity, sinus congestion, a temporomandibular joint disorder, or nerve-related pain such as trigeminal neuralgia.
Sometimes endurance training or dehydration reduces saliva, which can increase sensitivity. If sensitivity lasts more than 48 hours or worsens, ask your dentist for a check.
Changes in diet, dry mouth, new medications, increased intake of acidic sports drinks, or reflux can weaken the protective layer of enamel. Bacteria can then cause cavities that lead to tooth pain. Get a dental exam to check for cavities or early cracks.
Teeth whitening products typically use bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to break down stains on the enamel. When used properly and under guidance, most teeth whitening is safe. However, there can be temporary side effects such as sensitivity and mild gum irritation during or after treatment. Other risks include:
- Overuse of teeth whiteners or using them too often can wear down enamel or increase permeability, which can raise sensitivity.
- Some lab studies show effects on the microscopic structure of enamel if bleaching agents are strong or contact time is long. But these kinds of changes are usually reversible as normal remineralization occurs.
- Teeth whitening may not affect restorations (crowns, fillings) in the same way, so matching color post-whitening can sometimes be a challenge.
Learn more at the American Dental Association’s page on teeth whitening.
Next steps
Your first visit at Access Endodontics is focused on finding the root cause of your tooth pain, explaining your diagnosis in clear, simple terms, and setting out a plan to save your natural tooth. At our Ellicott City office, you will receive a careful review of your medical and dental history, targeted diagnostic testing, and recommendations tailored to your situation.
Fill out our online form or call 410-304-7226 to schedule your visit today.