When You Need a Root Canal

A toothache usually indicates a serious problem with the teeth. This does not automatically mean, however, that you will need root canal therapy. Only your dentist at Center Grove Family Dentistry in Greenwood, IN, Dr. Kristin Stevens, can confirm whether you require a root canal. That being said, there are certain symptoms that can help you determine whether you need a root canal treatment.

Tooth Pain

Pain doesn’t always mean that you will need root canal therapy. Sometimes, a tooth requiring a root canal, might not even cause pain. With this in mind, take note that there are many kinds of tooth pain and the following pain characteristics usually indicate the need for a root canal treatment:

  • Pulsing tooth pain
  • Intense pain that keeps you up at night
  • Changes in pain intensity whenever you change your posture
  • Intermittent or continuous spontaneous tooth pain
  • Tooth pain that doesn’t respond to pain medications
  • You can easily point to which tooth is hurting
  • Pain that can be triggered by particular stimuli such as pressure, tapping, or exposure to heat and cold

When you come in for your consultation with your dentist in Greenwood, IN, she will consider your specific pain type with your other symptoms when determining the need for root canal therapy.

Gum Tenderness and Swelling

These characteristics could imply an infection of the root canal:

  • The presence of a gum boil at the tooth root’s tip
  • Gum swelling located right at the root tip’s front portion
  • Distinct swelling that could be easily seen or hardly visible
  • You can feel the infected tooth more than the adjacent teeth

Feeling Generally Ill

A general sense of being unwell, a fever, and tender or swollen lymph nodes could also indicate the need for root canal surgery. This is particularly true if these symptoms come with the warning signs mentioned above. In this light, if you’re experiencing the symptoms above and feel generally ill, consult your dentist immediately. This will help ensure that you’ll be able to save your tooth and avoid further complications.

Need a Root Canal Treatment? Speak to Us

Call (317) 548-2627 today to schedule a meeting with your dentist here at Center Grove Family Dentistry in Greenwood, IN, Dr. Kirstin Stevens.

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Center Grove Family Dentistry

Monday:

9:00 AM-5:30 PM

Tuesday:

8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Wednesday:

8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Thursday:

8:00 AM-4:30 PM

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