Do I Need a Root Canal

If you are wondering, "my tooth hurts, do I need a root canal?" the answer is – not necessarily. We know that your tooth could hurt for several reasons, including:
  • Food is stuck in between your teeth or in between the ridges on the chewing surfaces of your teeth.
  • You could have a cavity.
  • Your tooth could have been chipped or cracked.
  • You may be suffering from enamel erosion.
In these scenarios, we can treat the problem without needing to perform a root canal. For example, we can clean your teeth and remove any food particles causing discomfort. If you have a cavity, we can remove the decay and place a filling at our family dentist office. This is done quickly and is far less invasive than a root canal. Simultaneously, if your tooth is chipped or cracked, we can restore it using dental bonding or dental veneers. If you are dealing with erosion, you may need dental crowns to protect your teeth. We also restore teeth on a daily basis and have several ways of doing so.


Other Factors You Need to Consider
However, there are many times where a root canal is the right treatment option, so to answer the question, "my tooth hurts, do I need a root canal?" we must also look at the surrounding circumstances.

How long has your tooth been hurting?
When you visit our dental office in, we need to know how long you have been dealing with this issue and whether the pain came on suddenly or if it has built up over time. This will help us in determining what the source of the discomfort is and what our treatment plan needs to be.

What level of pain are you in?
At here we regularly ask patients about their pain and whether or not it is manageable. If it is only slight discomfort, you may be able to visit our dentist practice and have tooth decay removed. In many cases, a toothache is caused by a cavity that can be treated without the need for a root canal. However, we find that intense pain can often be due to an infection severe enough to warrant a root canal.

The Process of Performing a Root Canal
When patients call us asking, "my tooth hurts, do I need a root canal?" the second question they normally ask is what the process will be like. At here, we will answer any questions you may have during your examination and consultation. We can complete a root canal in a way that is as comfortable as possible. The reality is that a root canal does not have to hurt. In fact, by using sedation, we can help you feel calm and relaxed to the point that most of our patients say they feel much better after the treatment than they did before the treatment. The root canal removes the infection, which is the cause of the initial discomfort, to relieve the pain. When looking for a "dentist near me" to perform a root canal, be sure to visit one who offers sedation.

When performing a root canal in our family dentist office, we do the following:
  • Clean the tooth
  • Numb the area
  • Create a small hole in the tooth
  • Remove the infected portion
  • Clean the interior of the tooth
  • Seal it with a rubbery substance
  • Restore the tooth using a filling or crown

Mar 20,2023