Why do I need a root canal if my tooth doesn't hurt?

You might still need a root canal even if you do not feel any pain because not all infection results in pain. The purpose of a root canal is to handle any infection that has developed in your tooth pulp, not just stop you from feeling pain. A root canal can save your infected tooth from having to be extracted.


Do I need a root canal if my tooth is not infected?

Possible Signs and Symptoms. Root canal treatment is needed when the pulp, or the soft tissue that lives inside the root canal of a tooth, becomes infected or inflamed, and cannot be restored to become healthy again.

Does a tooth that needs a root canal always hurt?

Pain. Strong pain does not always mean that the patient needs a root canal treatment. In some cases, the tooth which requires the surgery, may not even hurt. When pain is present, however, this can indicate a necessity for a root canal.


What are the signs that you need a root canal?

If you suspect a problem with one or more of your teeth, here are 7 signs you need a root canal for yourself:
  • One Of The Signs You Need A Root Canal Is Persistent Pain. ...
  • Chipped Or Cracked Tooth. ...
  • Sensitivity To Heat or Cold. ...
  • Gum Area Is Swollen. ...
  • Dark Discoloration Of The Tooth. ...
  • Prolonged Sensitivity. ...
  • Deep Decay.


What does it feel like when you need a root canal?

In short, when you need a root canal, it may feel like throbbing pain due to infection inside of the root of your tooth. A visible fistula, swelling, or temperature sensitivity might be present. Bacteria can also lead to foul-tasting drainage along the gum tissue near your root.


Why Do I Need A Root Canal If The Tooth Doesn't Hurt? Greenville Dentist Philip C. Hunt



Is it obvious if you need a root canal?

One of the most common signs you may need a root canal is severe tooth pain. More specifically, the pain you feel may not only be in the tooth but in the surrounding gum line as well. It's important to understand there are many different types of oral pain.

How does a dentist know if you need a root canal?

The dentist will determine the need for a root canal through one or several of the following methods: x-rays, the cavity test, selective anesthesia (to identify where the source of pain is when the patient doesn't know), thermal and electric testing, or by tapping on the problem tooth.

Can xray show if you need root canal?

When you get an x-ray, this will give definitive proof that you need to get a root canal. The x-ray gives the dentist a clear view of any infection in the tooth especially one at the root of the tooth.


How long do root canals last?

Root Canal Treatment Success Rate

According to this report, 98 percent of root canals last one year, 92 percent last five years, and 86 percent last ten years or longer. Molars treated by endodontists had a 10 year survival rate, significantly higher than that of molars treated by general dentists.

How do you know from an xray if you need a root canal?

Sometimes a dentist will find conditions in your teeth that require a root canal:
  1. Issues identified by X-ray – X-rays show infection as dark spots located at the tip of the roots of the tooth.
  2. Gum pimples – pimple-like gum lesions are often caused by infected teeth.


Can you have a root canal without pain?

Did you know that you may be in need of a root canal treatment despite feeling no pain? If your dentist has told you this is the case, you are not alone. Millions of teeth are treated every year with root canal therapy, with many patients experiencing little to no pain.


How long does it take for a cavity to turn into a root canal?

It can take as long as five years from the time a cavity begins to develop to when the tooth needs treatment to prevent the cavity from spreading further.

Do all cavities eventually need root canals?

If your tooth has decay to the enamel or dentin, a simple filling is enough to repair the cavity. However, if the cavity is left untreated, the decay will reach the deepest layer of the tooth, the nerve tissue. At this point, a root canal is necessary to repair the tooth.

What happens if you don't get a root canal if you need one?

An untreated root canal can also lead to dental abscesses or a life-threatening heart attack, stroke, or sepsis. Not to mention the fact that if your infection progresses to this point, you will likely be in extreme pain.


Is there a natural alternative to a root canal?

Irrigating the tooth cavity with Ozone gas is another alternative to root canal therapy. Ozone penetrates the tubules of the tooth beyond the drilled areas and the lateral tubules to disinfect the tooth beneath the enamel.

How soon should you get a root canal?

Contact your dentist immediately if you have persistent tooth pain or swelling in the mouth or gums. Root canals are often recommended when the pain or swelling is due to an infection deep within a tooth.

What happens if you don't get a crown after a root canal?

What happens after? A root canal often weakens the outer tooth. Because a big part of the tooth's structure is removed during a root canal, the outer tooth is likely to crumble if it is not reinforced with a crown.


Do teeth survive after a root canal?

How successful is root canal treatment? Root canal treatment is usually successful at saving the tooth and clearing the infection. Around 9 out of 10 root-treated teeth survive for 8 to 10 years. Having a crown fitted to the tooth after root canal treatment is important for improving tooth survival rates.

Do you need to get a crown after a root canal?

The need for a crown is typically determined by the amount of remaining tooth structure after a root canal. Generally, if more than half of the tooth is gone, a crown is indicated to restore the tooth's structural integrity.

Can a dentist misdiagnose a root canal?

At times, dentists will perform a root canal unnecessarily. The dentist might overestimate the damage to the tooth or misdiagnose the need for a root canal. Unscrupulous dentists might even perform the procedure so that they can bill the patient's insurance for a higher amount.


Can dentist see root canal on xray?

Root canal treatment removes infected pulp. When the dark area on your x-ray isn't near the pulp, you don't need root canal treatment. On an x-ray, it might seem that the dark area is between the filling and tooth pulp.

Why do some dentists not do root canals?

This includes the type of tooth, shape of the canal system, and current or past injury. While an endodontist can perform the procedure regardless of the circumstances of these aspects, general dentists will typically only do so when the conditions are less complex.

How can I prevent root canal naturally?

Avoidance Tactics: Top 10 Tips to Avoid Root Canal Treatment
  1. Brush twice daily. ...
  2. Floss once daily. ...
  3. Avoid hard foods such as hard candies and lollipops. ...
  4. Weak teeth be wary. ...
  5. Back away from the ice! ...
  6. Wear a mouth guard at night. ...
  7. Wear a mouth guard while playing sports.


Can I get a filling instead of root canal?

If the infection has seeped into the tooth's pulp, then root canal therapy becomes unavoidable. On the contrary, fillings can be used instead of a root canal if the tooth has a smaller cavity or a minor decay, which has not yet reached the pulp.

Can a small cavity need a root canal?

The cavity will start on the top layer of the tooth, known as the enamel. Then, it moves to the middle layer of the tooth, called the dentin. Finally, it will reach the third layer of the tooth, known as the nerve tissue. If the cavity affects the nerve tissue, then a root canal will be necessary to repair the tooth.