When you visit your dentist for your routine biannual checkup, you may expect to hear only good news. After all, you strive to take excellent care of your teeth, and you are not experiencing any pain. It may come as a bit of a shock, then, if your dentist recommends that you undergo root canal therapy.
“I am not in pain — why do I need a root canal?” you may ask. This blog post talks about indications for root canal therapy and why this procedure is sometimes necessary even when no obvious symptoms are present.
What Are Some Signs that a Root Canal Is Necessary?
A severe, throbbing toothache is a common indicator that the pulp inside a tooth (its innermost layer) is infected or inflamed. If you experience this symptom, you may be eager to consent to any treatment that your dentist recommends. Root canal therapy is one of the most effective ways to end dental pain.
However, pain is not the only sign that a root canal may be necessary. Other signs and symptoms include:
- A tooth is darker than the ones around it
- There is visible damaged to a tooth, such as a crack or chip
- A tooth is very sensitive to pressure, hot, and cold
- There is a pimple-like bump on the gums
No Symptoms? You Still Might Need Root Canal Therapy
Even if you have not noticed any obvious symptoms of an oral health problem, root canal treatment may still be necessary for one of the following reasons:
- There is a new infection. An X-ray might alert your dentist to a problem within your tooth that has not yet developed to the point where it is causing pain. Prompt treatment could spare you from future symptoms.
- The nerve inside a tooth has died. Once a nerve dies, it is no longer able to send pain signals to the brain. However, the infection that killed the nerve is likely still present. It could continue to spread into nearby tissues. Fortunately, root canal therapy can often stop such an infection in its tracks.
- A damaged tooth needs a crown. Your dentist may need to perform root canal therapy so they can place a post within your tooth. The post will then help to support a new crown.
Do Not Wait to Be in Pain
If you are hesitant to undergo root canal therapy, there is nothing wrong with seeking a second opinion. But keep in mind what might happen if you postpone care for too long. You could end up with a debilitating toothache or even lose your tooth altogether. In most cases, it is best to act quickly on any treatment recommendation from your dentist.
Meet the Practice
The team at All Dental in Westborough is proud to offer gentle root canal therapy and many other restorative services in our modern, welcoming office. If you have questions or concerns about your oral health, we would be happy to speak with you. Reach out to us at 508-217-7265.