What Are the Signs That Root Canal Therapy is Needed?

A root canal procedure cleans the rot out of a decayed tooth’s pulp and root. Teeth have three layers—enamel (the outermost layer), dentin (the second layer), and a softcore called pulp that is beneath the layer of dentin and extends into the root of your jawbone. Decay in this area leads to inflammation, infection, and even narcosis in extreme cases. That is why dentists strongly recommend a root canal procedure to remove the putrefied part and restore dental health. So, what are the signs that indicate you need a root canal? Scroll down to know more.

1. Intermittent or persistent pain

Continuous or on and off tooth is a glaring sign that you may need a root canal. You may feel either a nagging or a throbbing pain deep in the bone of your tooth. It may also get referred to your jaw, face, or in your other teeth. However, tooth pain may have some other causes too. These include a cavity, gum disease, an impacted tooth may be infected, a damaged filling, and referred pain from a sinus infection. If you ever experience pain as described above, see your dentist at the earliest. The earlier the diagnosis, the higher are the chances of a better outcome.

2. Tooth discoloration

An infected pulp has a grayish-black appearance. It happens because of the breakdown of the internal tissue, affected or no blood supply, and trauma to the tooth, thus leading to this grisly appearance. It is easier to see this discoloration in an anterior tooth. Although there may be other reasons for tooth discoloration, the need for a root canal should not be ruled out.

3. Swollen gums

Swollen and inflamed gums near the affected dental site may signify an issue that needs a root canal. The swollen area feels tender when you touch it. However, it may or may not be painful to the touch. Swelling is the result of the acidic content of dead pulp tissues, which causes edema outside the root tip area. You may also get a gum boil oozing infection that often leads to an unpleasant taste in your mouth and bad breath.

 4. Sensitivity to heat and cold

From soup to ice cream—when anything hot and cold that touches your teeth makes you wince, you might need a root canal treatment. Tooth sensitivity ranges between discomforting yet mild ache or a sharp and shooting pain. Infected or damaged blood vessels and nerves are its primary causes. Generally, a dentist advises a root canal if the pain lingers even after you have stopped eating or drinking some time ago.

 5. A chipped or cracked tooth

Tooth injuries, chipping, and cracking of teeth because of an accident or chewing on something hard may create gaps in teeth. It not only causes pain but also gives way to bacterial growth that causes inflammation and infection. A root canal treatment helps repair the tooth and allows healing.

 6. Touch-sensitive tooth

Tooth sensitivity leads to toothache when you touch your teeth or eat something. This soreness indicates severe nerve damage or tooth decay. When the pulp gets severely affected, the ligament around the root tip of an infected tooth may become hypersensitive. The leftover from the dying pulp may inflame and release pressure on and around the ligament, thus causing pain. If tooth sensitivity has been an issue consistently, contact your dentist immediately.

 7. Moving teeth

An infected tooth feels as if it is losing its firmness at the root. Pulpal necrosis or nerve death results in the accumulation of acidic contents that can unstiffen the bone around the root of an infected tooth, causing mobility. If two or more teeth feel loose, the wobbliness is likely to have a cause other than nerve death, but the need for a root canal is also the one.

Though the signs mentioned above do show the need for a root canal, visit your dentist for the final opinion. You may also need a combined treatment that includes a root canal as one of the steps.

 Is a root canal painful?

Say root canal and the image and sound of a drilling instrument flashes across most people’s minds. But that’s not true anymore. With various technological aids, a root canal procedure nowadays can be compared to getting a deep filling. Dentists use local anesthesia to minimize pain so that you feel at ease during the procedure.

Are there any side effects of the root canal?

Facial swelling and fever are two common side effects of this treatment. Both the issues resolve after a few days. You may need to take antibiotics before the procedure to kill the infection. It also helps reduce pain. Your mouth may feel raw, sore, or tender after the root canal. That is why dentists often suggest that you take over-the-counter pain medication. If you have any existing health condition, share it with your dentist. It will help them prescribe the most suitable pain medication with no contraindications concerning the other medicines you may be taking. Generally, the initial sharp pain lasts no longer than 3-5 days.

How long does the root canal procedure take?

Time taken ranges from 1.5 to 3 hours. A root canal takes one sitting, but it may require two in certain situations. During the treatment, your endodontist numbs the mouth, cleans the decay, disinfects the roots, fills them in, and seals the area. Your dentist will use a rubber dam, the standard of care in root canal treatment (RCT). It helps contain the infection and offers better treatment efficacy. The root canal treatment is the gold standard for keeping your natural tooth in place and preventing further decay. However, it makes the tooth more fragile. That’s why a crown is used over the treated during the root canal procedure.

Do you have more questions on root canal treatment?