How Can I tell If  I need a Root Canal?

• A Root Canal is needed if you have an abscessed tooth.

• An Abscessed tooth would generally have the following Symptoms:

  • The main give away is a tooth that hurts All By Itself. Meaning you are not eating, clenching, or putting anything cold or hot on it and the tooth is aching. 

  • Sometimes this will wake you up at night​

  • Sometimes a tooth that wakes you up at night may NOT be abscessed, but it may hurt, and wake you up, because you are clenching or grinding your teeth in your sleep.

• Other symptoms of a possibly abscessed tooth MAY include:​​​

  • ​The tooth hurts when chewing, or possibly just by touching it with your finger or tongue

  • The tooth my have a sharp pain to cold temperatures

  • The tooth may have a sharp pain to hot temperatures - and sipping cold water may help it feel better​

• Sometimes an Abscessed Tooth will be VERY painful for a few days, and then go away. This pain is likely to come back in a few days or weeks if the Abscessed Tooth is not delt with​

• An abscessed tooth will often show up on a dental x-ray as having a shadow around the root of the tooth

• There are many reasons that teeth can hurt, please see the full discussion on Dental Pain for other reasons your tooth may hurt.

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Why would I need a Root Canal?

There are 4 main reasons why a Root Canal may be reccomended for your tooth.

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1) A cavity that got to the nerve

2) A crack that got to the nerve

3) A cavity or crack that gets CLOSE to the nerve, and  up causing "root canal pain" (see Abscessed Tooth on the FAQ page)

4) Trauma to a tooth can damage a nerve, and may casue the need for a root canal to be done

 

No one likes to be in pain, or to be worried about their mouth or teeth. 

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We can get tooth pain for multiple reasons see the FAQ Page for a complete discussion.

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What is a Root  Canal?

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Where do I go for a Root Canal?

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Will I need a Crown after getting a Root Canal?

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