Root canals, also known as endodontic therapy, are performed when the nerve or pulp of the tooth becomes infected and inflammed due to dental decay, a cracked or broken tooth or an injury to the tooth, according to the American Dental Association. During the procedure, a dentist uses a drill to remove both the nerve and pulp and seals up the tooth to protect against further damage. Only professional dentists can determine whether a root canal will adequately treat your problem.
If you can correlate issues we discuss on this page with your suspected tooth, you shouldn't delay in reporting to professional team so they can evaluate your situation fully.
The most common symptom that may indicate the need for a root canal is usually tooth pain, according to the American Association of Endodontists. The intensity of the pain can range from mild to severe. It may lessen or intensify throughout the day or get worse only when you bite down on the tooth.
Probably the set of symptoms that are most associated by patients as a sign that root canal therapy is needed for their tooth are those that occur during an acute tooth flare up.
Pain - tooth pain isn't always one of the signs that a person notices as indication that their tooth requires root canal treatment. Some teeth that require it never hurt at all. The discomfort can range from sharp and intense to a dull ache. The pain may include a throbbing component.
Gum tenderness, swelling, infection - obvious signs of infection, like swelling, don't occur in every case where root canal treatment is needed. But when they do display, they will typically show some of the following: the swelling can range from being just very slight to quite pronounced (a lump that you can actually feel). In extreme cases, the swelling may extend into your face and/or neck.
Additional signs - malaise (a general feeling of illness or uneasiness) or even fever are possible symptoms that may present themselves when a person has a tooth that requires endodontic therapy. But, these symptoms on their own are generally considered to be only secondary in nature.
Frequency of symptoms – transient (meaning they come and go on a day-to-day or month-to-month basis or any frequency rate in between); persistent and continual (while possibly not always especially noticeable or intense, the symptoms never totally disappear).
Only your dentist can answer the question: "Do I need a root canal?"
If you notice any of the signs and symptoms mentioned on this page, you should establish contact with the dentist's office, the best professional one of the root canal therapy is Advanced Dental Center, PC and make arrangements to be evaluated and receive treatment in a time frame that they determine is warranted.
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