Signs You Might Need a Root Canal
Root canal procedure
You need a root canal if you have an infected tooth. The most common symptoms of an infected tooth are:
- Spontaneous tooth pain
- Severe tooth pain that keeps you awake or wakes you up at night
- Long-lasting pain in response to heat, cold, or pressure
- Tooth that grows discolored in the absence of trauma
- Persistent bad breath
- Swelling or pus in the gums
Although many people think that pain is the only indicator that a root canal is necessary, the amount of pain a person experiences as a result of an infected tooth varies greatly. Some people may experience little or no tooth pain. Other times, you might feel tooth pain as headaches.
What Is a Root Canal?
The purpose is to remove the infection from your tooth and restore the tooth to full function while preventing future infection.
We remove the infected material from the interior of the tooth. Then we fill the tooth with an inert material that has similar properties to the natural pulp so it can support and cushion your tooth. Then we place a dental crown on top of the tooth to protect it.
Nothing to Fear
Many people fear root canal procedures, but the truth is that the procedure’s reputation comes from the early days of dentistry, 100 years ago or more, when anesthesia was less precise than it is today. Today, you will be completely anesthetized so you will likely not feel any discomfort.
As you recover from the procedure, you will experience some discomfort, but most people experience less discomfort than they were experiencing before. The pain relief is essentially immediate, and within the first week, you will feel much better than you did before the root canal. After that, pain will continue to diminish and soon will disappear completely.
If you are still anxious about the procedure, sedation dentistry can help.
Root Canal or Dental Implant
An important question to consider when you have an infected tooth is whether you should have a root canal or have the tooth removed and have a dental implant placed. The choice really depends on the condition of your tooth.
If we can restore your tooth, that is generally best. Root canals and dental implants have similar success rates, both in the short-term and the long-term. If you have a root canal first, you will likely get decades of life out of it. Then when it fails, you can have it replaced with a dental implant.
On the other hand, if your tooth is in poor condition, it’s best to remove it to avoid potential future infections or damage caused by a failing tooth.
The only way to know for sure is to talk to a dentist who can evaluate the condition of your tooth. For a consultation, please call Rice Dentistry in Irvine at (949) 551-5902 to schedule a consultation today.
