While a severe, throbbing toothache is often a sign that you need a root canal, you may still need one even if your tooth feels fine. Dentists use root canals to eliminate dental infections that have spread to the pulp at the center of the tooth. While these infections often cause the nerves within the pulp to send pain signals to the brain, not every infection will have this result. Here’s why you may still need a root canal if your tooth feels fine.
When Should I Get a Root Canal?
Only your dentist can make the definitive call as to whether you need a root canal or not. However, there are some signs you may notice on your own that may say you should schedule a consultation with a dental professional. In addition to pain, some of these signs include:
- Sensitivity to temperature shifts: If you find that your tooth is especially sensitive to heat or cold, it may be due to the nerves inside it being damaged or infected. It’s more likely that you need a root canal if this discomfort lingers for a while after the hot or cold stimulus is removed.
- Swelling in the gums: The gums around a tooth can become swollen if the pulp inside it has become infected. You may also notice a small blemish called a sinus tract on your gums that can ooze pus if disturbed.
- Your pain disappeared: If you have a miserable tooth canal that suddenly goes away, it may be because the infection killed the nerve in the pulp of your tooth. Even without pain, this infection will go on and wreak further havoc if left untreated.
- Your dentist recommends a root canal: If your dentist finds bone loss in the root of a tooth, it may be due to an infection. Your dentist may inform you that you need a root canal during a routine exam.
What Does a Root Canal Entail?
A root canal is intended to eliminate infected tissue from a tooth to save it from extraction. The procedure will begin with a local anesthetic treatment to render the process painless. Your dentist will then remove any decayed enamel or dentin from the tooth and gain access to the pulp at the center. They will then remove the infected pulp, sanitize and fill the chamber, and seal the tooth to prevent further infections. To protect the tooth from injury and restore its appearance and function, your dentist will probably place a dental crown upon it.
Putting off a root canal can lead to the decay spreading to other teeth or even to dangerous secondary infections like sepsis. If your dentist recommends this treatment, it is certainly for a good reason.
About the Author
Dr. Dhavalkumar Rana earned his dental degree from New York University, and he pursues continuing education courses to stay on top of the latest developments in the field. He is proud to serve as a member of the American Dental Association, the Texas Dental Association, and the Dallas County Dental Association. His office in Mesquite, TX offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry such as root canal treatments. If you are concerned that you may need a root canal, contact his office online or dial (469) 399-7288.