How Do You Know If You Need a Root Canal?

Does the thought of a root canal treatment make you nervous? At AD Smile Studio, we use this endodontic procedure to save a tooth whenever possible and relieve your pain rather than cause it. Dr. Dao and his team use the latest technology, modern numbing techniques, and sedation options, helping provide comfortable care you can trust. The question is, how can you tell if it’s time for a root canal?

What Is Root Canal Therapy?

Inside every tooth is a soft tissue called the pulp, containing nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. If a tooth’s pulp becomes infected or inflamed due to deep tooth decay, cracks, or trauma, it can cause severe pain. Instead of having to extract the affected tooth, a root canal treatment treats the infection at its source, relieving your discomfort and restoring your natural smile.

Ignoring tooth pain won’t make it go away. Left untreated, an infection can spread and lead to more serious complications, such as a painful abscess, bone loss, and even tooth loss.

What Are the Signs that You May Need a Root Canal Treatment?

While symptoms of tooth pulp damage may vary from person to person, the following are the most common signs that you may need a root canal treatment:

• Persistent Tooth Pain: One of the most common warning signs of inner pulp infection or inflammation is a persistent ache, especially when chewing, biting down, or applying pressure. Root canal therapy removes the infected and inflamed pulp tissue, helping relieve your discomfort.
• Sensitivity to Hot and Cold: A brief brush with tooth sensitivity is usually no cause for alarm. However, sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures that lingers may be a sign of an infected or inflamed tooth.
• Facial and Gum Swelling or Tenderness: A tooth infection can lead to swelling of the face and gums near the affected tooth. This swelling is often accompanied by sensitivity or tenderness.
• A Pimple-Like Bump on Your Gums: An abscess may appear as a small, pimple-like bump on the gums near the painful tooth. It can leak pus, creating an unpleasant taste or odor in your mouth.
• A Dark or Discolored Tooth: A grayish hue or noticeable tooth darkening is often a sign of inner pulp damage. This is different from staining that can result from consuming dark foods and beverages.

What Happens During a Root Canal Treatment?

Most root canals can be completed in a single office visit. Dr. Dao will start by capturing detailed 3D views of your tooth and surrounding structures using our CBCT scanner to get a closer look at the affected tooth, surrounding structures, and root canals. The intricate images help him plan your treatment with precision, minimizing complications and ensuring the best possible outcomes.

Before your endodontic treatment, Dr. Dao will numb the area with a local anesthetic and is happy to administer dental sedation, if needed, to help you feel relaxed during treatment. Once you’re ready, he will remove the infected or inflamed pulp tissue, clean and reshape your root canals, and fill them using a biocompatible material to help prevent reinfection. The last step is sealing the space.

What Happens After Your Root Canal Treatment?

After your root canal, the treated tooth can become weaker, more brittle, and prone to fracture, which is why we typically place a custom dental crown for protection. With good at-home oral hygiene care and regular visits to AD Smile Studio for dental exams and cleaning, your root canal-treated tooth can last for decades, or even a lifetime.

Root Canal Therapy Near Me in Lavon, TX

If you would like to learn more about relieving your discomfort and saving your natural tooth with a root canal treatment, contact AD Smile Studio to schedule a consultation. Dr. Dao and his team combine cutting-edge technology with advanced techniques and compassionate care to deliver care you can trust and the best possible patient experience. We invite you to call 972-850-2790, text, or book online today!