When Is Root Canal Therapy Needed?

When Is Root Canal Therapy Needed?

Could a root canal save your tooth and end your pain? Your Fayetteville, GA, dentists, Drs. Edwin Richardson and Jonathan Robinson of Dental Traditions, can help you protect your smile with root canal therapy and other procedures and services.

How can I tell if I need a root canal?

Although it's impossible to determine if you definitely need a root canal without making a visit to your Fayetteville dentist, you may notice a few troubling signs or symptoms when you have a problem deep inside your tooth.

Pain can be a sign that you have a problem with your tooth pulp. The soft pulp is located in the center of your tooth and contains tissue, blood vessels and nerves. If the pulp becomes infected or inflamed, it must be removed during a root canal procedure and replaced with a filling. You may also need a dental crown to strengthen your tooth after you've had a root canal. Without the procedure, you may soon lose your tooth.

If pain is mild at first or even comes and goes, you may not realize that you have a serious problem with your tooth. Any pain, no matter how often it occurs or how minor it seems initially, should be investigated by your dentist.

Should the inflammation or infection progress, your pain may worsen and become severe. You may also notice an increase in pain any time you chew or press on your tooth.

A few other signs or symptoms may also occur, such as:

  • Darkening of your tooth
  • Painful, red gum tissue around the tooth
  • Pain after you eat or drink hot, cold, or sugary foods and beverages

Sometimes, root canals are needed due to an abscess in your tooth pulp. The bacterial infection not only jeopardizes your tooth but may put your health at risk. If the infection reaches your bloodstream, it may travel to your heart or brain and cause a stroke or heart attack. Fortunately, root canal therapy and antibiotics can help you save your tooth and prevent serious health consequences.

Signs and symptoms of an abscess include fever, swollen lymph nodes, pus around the tooth, a bump on your gum near the tooth, facial swelling, and severe, throbbing pain that may travel to your jawbone.

Root canal therapy can help you avoid tooth loss! Call your Fayetteville, GA, dentists, Drs. Edwin Richardson and Jonathan Robinson of Dental Traditions, at (770) 487-9797 to schedule your appointment.