Access Endodontics provides specialized care for tooth pain, infection, dental injuries, cracked teeth, and complications from a previous root canal. Whether your general dentist has referred you or you are trying to understand the cause of ongoing pain, our Ellicott City team can evaluate the tooth and recommend an appropriate next step.

Our goal is to relieve discomfort and preserve your natural tooth whenever possible. Dr. Lina Jarboe and the Access Endodontics team combine focused endodontic expertise with advanced technology and a patient-centered approach to care.

Need specialized care for tooth pain or a dental injury?

Patients can contact our Ellicott City office online to request an appointment or call 410.304.7226. Referring providers can use our dental referral process to coordinate care.

What is endodontic treatment?

Endodontic treatment focuses on diagnosing and treating problems inside a tooth, including the soft tissue known as the pulp and the narrow root canal system surrounding it. When this tissue becomes inflamed, infected, or injured, you may experience pain, sensitivity, swelling, or discomfort when chewing.

Treatment is designed to address the source of the problem while helping you keep the natural tooth when possible. Depending on the diagnosis, your care may involve root canal therapy, treatment for an injured tooth, or endodontic retreatment after an earlier procedure.

During root canal treatment, inflamed or infected tissue is removed before the inside of the tooth is carefully cleaned, disinfected, filled, and sealed. The procedure is intended to treat infection and preserve the tooth rather than remove it.

When should you see an endodontist?

Many patients visit an endodontist after their general dentist identifies a problem that requires specialized care. However, you may also contact the office when ongoing symptoms suggest that the inside of a tooth could be damaged or infected.

An endodontic evaluation may be appropriate if you have:

  • Severe or lingering tooth pain
  • Sensitivity to heat or cold that does not quickly go away
  • Pain when biting or chewing
  • Swelling near a tooth or along the gums
  • A cracked, chipped, loose, or injured tooth
  • A tooth that has become darker or discolored
  • Pain that returns after a previous root canal
  • A referral for root canal therapy, retreatment, or an apicoectom

Endodontists receive additional training in diagnosing tooth pain, treating dental injuries, and performing root canal procedures. Persistent pain, sensitivity, a suspected cracked tooth, or dental trauma may all warrant an evaluation.

A sports injury, fall, or accident can damage a tooth even when there is no obvious fracture. Prompt traumatic dental injury treatment can determine whether the pulp or root has been affected. Similarly, focused cracked tooth treatment can help identify fractures that may be difficult to see during a routine examination.

Don’t ignore severe tooth pain, swelling, or an injured tooth. Call 410.304.7226 to discuss appointment availability with Access Endodontics.

Endodontic services we provide

Treatment begins with a diagnosis, since similar symptoms can have different causes. Access Endodontics offers surgical and nonsurgical procedures for patients throughout Ellicott City, Howard County, and nearby communities.

Root canal therapy

Root canal therapy may be recommended when the pulp inside a tooth becomes inflamed or infected. The procedure removes damaged tissue, cleans and seals the root canal system, and helps preserve the natural tooth.

Root canal retreatment

A tooth that previously received root canal therapy can sometimes become painful or infected again. Retreatment allows the endodontist to reopen the tooth, examine the canals, and address problems that may have prevented complete healing.

Endodontic retreatment

When a previously treated tooth has not healed as expected, a detailed evaluation can identify the cause and determine whether another tooth-saving procedure may be appropriate.

Dental trauma treatment

Falls, sports injuries, vehicle accidents, and other forms of trauma can crack, chip, loosen, or dislodge a tooth. Trauma treatment addresses damage to the tissue and structures inside the tooth.

Cracked tooth treatment

A cracked tooth may cause sharp pain when chewing or sensitivity that comes and goes. Appropriate treatment depends on the location and depth of the crack.

Perforation repair

A perforation creates an unwanted opening between the inside of a tooth and the surrounding tissue. When the tooth can be preserved, repair focuses on sealing the opening and protecting the area from further damage.

Laser-assisted irrigation and disinfection

Laser-assisted technology can support thorough cleaning and disinfection within the root canal system. Access Endodontics uses this technology as part of its precise, comfort-focused approach to treatment.

Apicoectomy

An apicoectomy is a form of endodontic surgery that treats inflammation or infection near the tip of a tooth’s root. It may be considered when a problem persists after root canal treatment and another approach is needed to preserve the tooth

Pulp regeneration

For certain developing permanent teeth, regenerative treatment may help support continued root development after the pulp has been damaged by infection or trauma.

Internal bleaching

Internal bleaching addresses discoloration that begins within a tooth, which can sometimes occur after dental trauma or endodontic treatment.

Root canal therapy and tooth-saving treatment

Root canal therapy is one of the most common forms of endodontic treatment. It may be recommended when decay, a crack, repeated dental work, or an injury causes the pulp inside a tooth to become inflamed or infected.

During treatment, the damaged tissue is removed before the inner space is cleaned, disinfected, shaped, and sealed. This process addresses the source of infection while allowing the tooth to remain in place.

Because each tooth and diagnosis is different, your endodontist will explain whether root canal therapy in Ellicott City is appropriate for your situation. A previously treated tooth that develops new symptoms may instead require root canal retreatment.

Advanced endodontic technology

Access Endodontics uses Biolase dental laser technology during certain procedures, including laser-assisted irrigation and disinfection. This technology can help your endodontist clean areas within the root canal system while supporting treatment precision and thorough disinfection.

For patients, advanced technology may contribute to:

  • More efficient cleaning of the treatment area
  • Precise removal of damaged or infected tissue
  • Enhanced disinfection within complex canal spaces
  • A more comfortable overall treatment experience
  • Additional support during surgical and nonsurgical procedures

Technology is just one part of the treatment process. Your endodontist’s diagnosis, clinical judgment, and individualized plan remain central to determining the right care for each tooth.

Why choose Access Endodontics in Ellicott City?

Endodontic problems can be stressful, particularly when you are in pain or worried about losing a tooth. Access Endodontics provides specialized care in a setting designed to help patients feel informed, comfortable, and supported.

Dr. Lina Jarboe has treated patients in Howard County for more than 20 years. Her work includes both surgical and nonsurgical endodontic care, with an emphasis on identifying the source of pain and preserving natural teeth whenever possible.

Patients and referring dentists rely on Access Endodontics for:

  • A convenient Ellicott City location
  • Care from dentists who focus specifically on endodontics
  • A conservative, tooth-preserving treatment philosophy
  • Advanced diagnostic and laser-assisted technology
  • Support for patients who feel anxious about dental treatment
  • Clear explanations of the diagnosis and available options
  • Collaboration with general dentists before and after treatment
  • Surgical and nonsurgical treatment options

Our approach to specialized, patient-centered care is reflected in the experience and treatment philosophy of Dr. Lina Jarboe and the rest of the Access Endodontics team.

What to expect at your endodontic appointment

Knowing what will happen during an appointment can make specialized dental care feel more manageable. Although the exact process depends on your symptoms and referral, a visit may include:

  1. Reviewing your symptoms and history. The team will ask about your pain, sensitivity, dental treatment, health conditions, and medications.
  2. Examining the tooth. Your endodontist may test the tooth and surrounding area to better understand where the symptoms are coming from.
  3. Taking or reviewing images. Dental X-rays or other imaging may be used to examine the roots, surrounding bone, and previous dental work.
  4. Explaining the diagnosis. Your endodontist will discuss what appears to be causing the problem and whether treatment may help preserve the tooth.
  5. Reviewing your options. Depending on the diagnosis, the recommendation may involve treatment, monitoring, coordination with your general dentist, or another type of care.
  6. Planning for comfort. When we recommend a procedure, the team will explain the local anesthesia that may be used.
  7. Providing aftercare guidance. You will receive instructions for caring for the area, managing expected sensitivity, and completing any necessary follow-up.

An evaluation does not automatically mean that treatment will occur during the same visit. Your endodontist will first determine what the tooth needs and explain the plan.

For referring dentists

Access Endodontics works closely with general dentists to evaluate and treat complex tooth pain, infection, dental trauma, cracked teeth, retreatment needs, and conditions that may require endodontic surgery.

Clear communication helps support continuity of care before, during, and after treatment. Providers can submit a dental referral and share the information needed for patient

Frequently asked questions about endodontic treatment

Do I need a referral to see an endodontist?

Many Access Endodontics patients are referred by their general dentist after a problem is identified. Referral or authorization requirements may also depend on your insurance plan. The office can clarify what information is needed before your appointment.

What should I bring to my endodontic appointment?

Bring your identification, insurance information, a current medication list, and any referral documents or dental records provided by your general dentist. Completing our patient forms in advance may make check-in easier.

Can an endodontist save my tooth?

Preserving the natural tooth is a primary goal of endodontic care, but whether a tooth can be saved depends on the extent of decay, infection, injury, fracture, and previous treatment. After examining the tooth, your endodontist can explain the likely treatment options.

Is endodontic treatment painful?

Endodontic procedures are commonly performed to relieve pain caused by inflamed or infected tissue. Local anesthesia and modern treatment techniques are used to support patient comfort, although some tenderness may occur as the area recovers.

What is the difference between an endodontist and a general dentist?

A general dentist provides a broad range of preventive and restorative care. An endodontist is a dentist who has completed additional training focused on diagnosing tooth pain, treating the pulp and root canal system, and performing procedures intended to save damaged teeth.

How do I schedule endodontic treatment in Ellicott City?

Patients can contact the Ellicott City office to discuss scheduling and required records. When a general dentist is coordinating care, our dental referral process allows the referring office to submit the necessary information.

Schedule endodontic treatment in Ellicott City

Tooth pain can make it difficult to eat, sleep, work, or focus on your day. Whether you have been referred for a root canal, are experiencing symptoms after previous treatment, or need specialized care for a dental injury, Access Endodontics can evaluate the problem and explain your options.

The Ellicott City practice provides root canal therapy, retreatment, trauma care, endodontic surgery, and other procedures centered on relieving discomfort and preserving natural teeth whenever possible.

Connect with Access Endodontics in Ellicott City.

Call 410.936.4478 or contact our Ellicott City office to request an appointment. Patients can complete their endodontic patient forms before arriving and general dentists can quickly refer a patient.