A root canal is a procedure that is usually done when the nerve of a tooth is irritated, inflamed or necrotic (dead). It is a procedure used to save the tooth from the alternative option of complete extraction. The pulp is one of the components that make up our teeth and is the home to the nerve, blood vessels, and connective tissue. A root canal procedure is necessary when this area gets inflamed or infected. Root Canal treatment is intended to get the patient out of tooth pain.

How Can I Tell if a Root Canal Might Be Necessary?

A toothache could be a sign of an irritated or diseased pulp. Your tooth's nerve may be the cause of pain if you are experiencing any dull achy pain, throbbing pain, sharp pain with extreme sensitivity to cold, tenderness to biting down or if you wake up in the middle of the night and regular over the counter medication doesn’t work too long or at all. Some other signs and symptoms that would necessate a root canal treatment include:

Abscess

There is a significant probability a root canal will be necessary if you see a bulge or boil on the gums near the tooth in question. You may also see and taste pus in the mouth.

Sensitivity

A good indicator is intense discomfort from both hot and cold foods.

Discoloration

Dark staining on the tooth is a sign that the pulp is failing. This is a serious warning as it means the tooth nerve is dead and may be infected.

Don't Delay

Contact our dentist as soon as you discover a persistent discomfort that doesn't seem to go away. Saving a tooth when possible ,with good prognosis, is preferable to extracting it.