It’s not uncommon for the fear of root canal treatment to keep people from seeking help for tooth pain. However, it’s important that you push through, remain strong, and call our Brighton, MI, dentists. We can evaluate what’s going on with your smile and give you confirmation on whether this form of restorative dental care is needed or not.
In the meantime, here are 5 indicators of potential root canal therapy.
One of the most common is pain that doesn’t go away. It may feel sharp, throbbing, or deep inside the tooth. Pain can also come and go or stay constant, and may worsen when biting or chewing.
Pain like this often points to inflammation or infection in the pulp of the tooth (the part that contains nerves and blood vessels). A removes the infected tissue and relieves pressure inside the tooth, offering real, lasting tooth pain relief.
Pain isn’t something to wait out. If the nerve is dying or dead, the pain may fade temporarily, but the infection continues, often leading to an emergency root canal or even tooth extraction if left untreated.
Swelling around a specific tooth could mean infection has spread beyond the tooth root into the surrounding tissues. If this has occurred, you may notice:
This is your body trying to drain an infection, and it often indicates that dental treatment for swollen gums is in fact needed. More specifically, this may turn into our local root canal dentiststreating a dental abscess. Designed to clear the infection at its source, endodontic therapy helps reduce swelling and prevent anything from spreading further.
If your tooth reacts strongly to hot coffee or cold water, and the sensitivity sticks around long after, you might have nerve damage or infection in the pulp.
Short-term sensitivity from time to time is normal. But when that reaction lingers for more than a few seconds or keeps getting worse, it’s often a red flag that a tooth’s inner portion is compromised. The process of getting a root canal addresses this by removing the affected tissue and sealing the tooth to prevent further damage.
A tooth turning gray, brown, or darker than the surrounding teeth may be a sign the nerve inside is dying. Tooth discoloration can happen for many reasons, but when combined with other symptoms, or if the tooth has a history of trauma or deep decay, it could mean a root canal is needed. This is often an early sign of internal damage, and prompt treatment can help you avoid extraction. Once the infection is cleared, our dentists can place a porcelain dental crown to restore the tooth’s strength and appearance.
A crack or fracture can expose the inner part of the tooth to bacteria, leading to infection even if it doesn’t hurt right away. Trauma from an accident, sports injury, or biting down on something hard can silently damage the nerve, making the tooth vulnerable.
Even if you don’t feel symptoms now, a cracked tooth often requires root canal therapy to prevent pain, swelling, and an infection. Our dentists might recommend the root canal procedure followed by a crown to protect the tooth. Catching the problem early can mean the difference between saving the tooth and needing an emergency extraction.
Root canal treatment is nothing like the outdated horror stories you may have heard. With modern tools, advanced imaging, and local anesthesia, getting a root canal is similar to getting a filling. The discomfort is minimal, and the benefits are big.
Waiting too long can lead to the infection spreading to bone or neighboring teeth, or even systemic health problems. as early as possible gives you the best shot at a full recovery with your natural smile intact.
Routine checkups and professional teeth cleanings inside our Brighton, MI, dental office help catch problems early, even before symptoms start. But if you’re experiencing any of the signs above, don’t wait. Seeking treatment could be the step that saves your tooth.
Our root canal dentists in Brighton, MI, would be more than happy to take a look at your tooth if you’re worried. Should root canal treatment be chosen, we can walk you through the steps and answer any questions you might have. Call Schaefer Dental Group today at (810) 229-2126 to request an appointment.