How to Know if You Need a Root Canal?

Have you been experiencing persistent tooth pain that keeps you up at night? Does chewing or biting down cause a sharp, shooting pain in one of your teeth? If so, you may be wondering do you need a root canal.

At Lagniappe Dental in Fairhope, AL, our caring dental team will help you understand the signs that indicate you need a root canal in Fairhope and walk you through the procedure, so you know exactly what to expect.

What is a Root Canal?

First, let’s review the basic human tooth anatomy. Your tooth has multiple layers. The outermost enamel layer covers the dentin layer, which surrounds the soft tissue inside your tooth called the pulp. The pulp contains nerves, arteries and veins that supply nutrients and oxygen to your tooth.

If the pulp becomes infected due to severe tooth decay, cracks in the tooth enamel, or repetitive dental procedures, you may need a root canal. During this procedure, the dentist removes the infected pulp tissue and then seals off and disinfects the "canal" that held the pulp. A filling is placed to seal the opening. Finally, a crown covers the tooth to protect and restore it to full function.

How Do You Know If You Need a Root Canal

The most common sign that you need a root canal is persistent tooth pain. This can range from mild discomfort to severe pain and tenderness when chewing or biting. Here are some key symptoms that indicate it's time to see your dentist:

• Severe toothache that lasts for more than a couple days, especially pain that wakes you up at night

• Lingering pain when eating or drinking something hot or cold

• Swelling in your gums around the affected tooth

• Darkening color of the tooth

• A pimple-like bump on your gums near the tooth

If you experience any of these root canal symptoms, don’t wait to call Dr. Bruce. The sooner you get treatment, the more likely it is that your doctor can save your natural tooth.

At What Stage is a Root Canal Needed?

Essentially, you need a root canal when the pulp inside your tooth dies or becomes infected. This can happen due to:

• Severe tooth decay

• A crack or chip in the tooth that allows bacteria to enter

• A faulty filling that causes inflammation

• Trauma or injury, such as a hard hit to the tooth

Without treatment, the infection will continue to spread. You’ll likely experience intense tooth pain and sensitivity to hot and cold foods or liquids. Eventually, an abscess may form on the tip of the tooth root or your gums.

At this stage, you need emergency dental care. The dentist will likely perform a pulpectomy, which involves removing the infected pulp tissue to relieve your symptoms. Then you’ll come back later for the full root canal treatment.

Signs You Need an Emergency Root Canal

In some cases, the infection may spread rapidly, requiring emergency root canal treatment. Seek emergency dental care if you have:

• Severe tooth pain that comes on suddenly, especially with swelling in your face or neck

• An abscess with pus drainage

• Fever and chills along with tooth pain

These are signs the infection could spread to other areas and become life-threatening. You need urgent treatment to remove the infected tissue and drain any abscesses that have developed.

What to Expect During Root Canal Therapy in Fairhope

If you do require a root canal, knowing what to expect can help ease anxiety. The steps generally include:

• Numbing the tooth - Dr. Bruce will give local anesthesia to prevent pain.

• Accessing the pulp - A small hole is made in the top of the tooth to reach the pulp chamber.

• Removing infected/dead pulp - The pulp tissue is taken out.

• Disinfecting - Medications are used to clean and disinfect the interior of the tooth.

• Filling the canal - The entire root canal system is filled and sealed. A temporary filling is placed.

You may need additional appointments over several weeks to complete the process. A crown is usually placed later to strengthen and protect the tooth.

Root Canal Aftercare

Proper care after your root canal is crucial to avoid re-infection:

• Take antibiotics or pain medication as directed.

• Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until you get the permanent filling or crown.

• Brush and floss gently around the area to keep it clean.

• See your dentist as recommended for follow-up and restoration.

• Get a replacement crown if the original becomes damaged or decayed.

Follow your dentist's at-home care instructions closely for the best results from your root canal treatment.

Is it Better to Get a Root Canal or Pull the Tooth?

The first option is always to try and save your natural tooth if possible. Getting a root canal allows you to keep your tooth intact. However, root canals have a success rate of 85-90%. In some cases, they fail and you may still need the tooth extracted.

Reasons a root canal might not resolve the infection include:

• Severe curvature of the tooth root that's difficult to fully access

• Large abscesses that are difficult to drain

• Presence of other infections like HIV or diabetes that impede healing

• Cracks running vertically down the root

For teeth that are not restorable with a root canal, our dentist will likely recommend extraction. However, there are downsides to losing a natural tooth. The surrounding teeth can shift out of place over time. You may also need expensive dental implants or bridges to fill the gap where the tooth was removed.

When is it Too Late for a Root Canal?

It’s generally not “too late” for a root canal unless the tooth is fractured below the gum line or the infection has caused the bone and soft tissue around the tooth to degrade significantly.

However, the success rate does go down if you wait too long with an infection. You may need more extensive procedures to save the tooth, such as surgery to drain an abscess or remove infected tissue. The infection may also spread to other teeth.

So don’t wait if you suspect a root canal is needed! Call your dentist right away if you notice any of the root canal symptoms described above. The sooner you get treatment, the more likely the root canal procedure will resolve the infection so you can save your natural tooth.

Root Canal Alternative Treatments

In some cases, your dentist may recommend alternatives to a root canal:

• Tooth extraction - Removing the infected tooth entirely.

• Pulpotomy - Removing pulp from the crown but not the roots.

• Apicoectomy - Surgically removing infected root tip.

• Dental implant - Replacing the missing tooth with an artificial root and crown.

Discuss all your options with your dentist to determine the best solution for your situation.

See Your Fairhope, AL Dentist for Root Canal Treatment

At Lagniappe Dental, our dentists use advanced techniques and technology to perform root canal treatments comfortably and efficiently. We'll also discuss all your treatment options if a root canal is needed so you can make an informed decision. Our goal is always to save your natural teeth whenever possible. With proper care after the procedure, a root canal can restore your tooth to full function for many years.

To determine if you need a root canal, call Lagniappe Dental today to schedule a diagnostic exam. We provide attentive care to patients in Fairhope, AL and all surrounding areas. We can't wait to meet you!

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