If you’re experiencing pain, swelling, or sensitivity in your tooth, you may wonder if a root canal is necessary. A root canal is a clinical procedure meant to address deep decay, infection, or trauma to the tooth. While your dentist or endodontist will ultimately determine whether a root canal is necessary for your specific case, it’s important to understand the signs and symptoms that may indicate the need for this treatment.
Access Endodontics provides root canal therapy treatment in our state-of-the-art Ellicott City, MD, office. Our team, led by Dr. Burton Waxman and Dr. Lina Jarboe, has extensive experience in performing root canal therapy to relieve patients’ pain and to save their natural teeth.
Call 410.304.7226 today or talk to your dentist if you’re experiencing tooth pain or other symptoms that may indicate a root canal is necessary. Our team can help determine if root canal therapy is the best course of treatment.
When Is a Root Canal Needed?
Sometimes, a root canal is the only way to save a damaged or infected tooth. At times, a cavity may be too problematic to be corrected with a simple filling. If the decay has reached the inner pulp of the tooth, it may cause an infection leading to intense pain.
Root canal therapy is also necessary if a tooth becomes infected or abscessed. This happens when bacteria reach the inner pulp of the tooth, causing an infection that can be extremely painful and potentially spread to other parts of the body if left untreated. In these cases, a root canal is necessary to remove the infected pulp and save the tooth from further damage.
Signs You Might Need a Root Canal
Sensitivity to Heat and Cold
What happens if you drink something hot or cold? This pain may feel like a sharp pain or dull throbbing. If it’s painful, you may need a root canal. This is an indication that nerves and blood vessels in the tooth are damaged.
Signs of Infection on the Gums
Root canals are meant to treat infected teeth. When you have an infected or abscessed tooth, you’ll have some of the same symptoms that you would with any other infection. However, in this case, your gums may be red and swollen. You might even notice a pimple or boil just above or below the tooth.
The Tooth Is Damaged
If your tooth has become chipped or cracked, this leaves an opening just like a cavity. Unfortunately, this leaves space for bacteria to enter and an infection to begin. When this happens, the best way to treat it is with root canal therapy.
Ongoing Pain
The kind of infection that calls for a root canal is ongoing and intense. Patients often report feeling pain in their jaws, other teeth, and even their ears. In some cases, you may feel intermittent relief, but the ache always returns.
Discolored Tooth
The damage and infection to your tooth may cause the pulp to die. This causes the tissue in your tooth to decay and break down. If this happens, your tooth could take on a gray or brown color. This is usually more noticeable in the front teeth.
Broken Tooth
If an injury has caused your tooth to crack or break, that opening could allow bacteria to cause an infection. Even though this isn’t a traditional cavity, a root canal is still needed in this situation.
Is a Root Canal Painful?
Many people dread having a root canal done because they perceive it’s going to be exceptionally painful. However, thanks to advances in dental technology, the procedure is more like getting a filling that takes a little longer to complete. Your endodontist will give you a local anesthetic to numb your mouth. The most discomfort you feel will come from having your mouth open for an extended period.
Other steps involved in root canal therapy include:
- Removing the damaged or infected pulp
- Cleaning and shaping the root canals
- Filling and sealing the space inside the tooth
- Placing a crown to protect and strengthen the tooth
In addition to drilling your tooth, the dentist will also take steps to eradicate the infection. For example, they may prescribe an oral antibiotic or apply an antibiotic treatment directly to the tooth.
Call Access Endodontics Today for Your Root Canal Therapy
Access Endodontics offers laser-assisted root canal therapy to treat infections and save teeth. If you’re experiencing any of the signs and symptoms mentioned above, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with our team. We’ll assess your tooth and recommend the best course of treatment for your unique case. Whether it’s a root canal or another solution, we’re here to help alleviate your pain and restore your oral health. Call 410.304.7226 or reach out online today to schedule your consultation.