Signs That You May Need a Root Canal Treatment

Kitchener Dentists perform root canal treatment commonly. Popular culture has contributed to root canal therapy being one of the most feared medical/dental procedures out there. However, root canal therapy commonly relieves severe and unremitting pain. What causes this pain and when are root canal treatments indicated? This week, my aim is to answer these questions!

Kitchener Dentist Files: What is Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal treatment involves removing the soft tissue dental pulp from inside your tooth roots. The dental pulp is made up of nerves and blood vessels. It may also contain bacteria in the case of a tooth with infection. Commonly, the removal of this nerve tissue results in remission of pain and toothache. If your Kitchener Dentist recommends Root Canal Therapy, ask about the procedure so that you can understand their recommendation.

Kitchener Dentist Files: Symptoms Related to Needing Root Canal Treatment

When your Kitchener Dentist recommends root canal treatment, it can be for a number of reasons. Most times, the patient is experiencing some degree of pain or hypersensitivity. Here is a list of problems and related symptoms that signal the need for root canal treatment:

1. Tooth-Related Abscess or Infection. Bacteria can get into the root canals through deep cavities, leaking fillings and cracks. Bacteria can move through the tooth and into the jaws and nearby facial spaces causing swelling and intense pain. Root canal treatment eliminates bacteria, swelling and pain.
2. Unremitting Toothache. Following repair of a deep cavity, some patients experience excessive cold, hot and/or biting sensitivity that does not settle down. In these cases, root canal treatment can relieve pain.
3. Cracked Tooth. Patients can develop intense, sharp biting pain when their tooth has cracks in it. In some cases, the only way to relieve this pain is through root canal treatment and reinforcing the tooth with a Dental Crown.

Summary

Root canal treatments involve removing the dental pulp ("nerve") from inside the roots of a tooth. Treatment is indicated to treat toothaches, abscessed teeth, and painful cracked teeth. If you are experiencing pain associated with a tooth, contact your Kitchener Dentist to seek a diagnosis.

Thanks for reading today!

By Dr. Kyle Hornby, Kitchener Dentist

If you would like to arrange a no-charge consult to discuss treatment options for a symptomatic or painful tooth, give us a call at (519) 576-8160 or request a consult here.

Our Kitchener Dental Clinic is conveniently located in Downtown Kitchener and we are a short drive away for families in Waterloo, Breslau & Stratford.

This article is meant to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Accordingly, always seek the advice of your Kitchener Dentist or other healthcare provider regarding a dental condition or treatment.