Your tooth pain may leave you worried about what treatment you need from your dentist. Do you have minor decay, or is something more serious going on? It’s possible that you may benefit from root canal therapy.

Root canal treatment at our Toronto dental office is performed on a seriously decayed or infected tooth to repair the natural tooth and save it. During root canal treatment, the tooth pulp and nerve are removed and the interior of the tooth is cleaned and carefully sealed to ensure proper healing and to prevent infection. Several signs are often present that can be clues that you need root canal treatment.

Do you:

• have swelling, pain or sensitivity when using a particular tooth?
• have moderate to severe pain that does not abate, while or immediately following the consumption of very hot or very cold liquids or foods?
• have tooth pain that radiates out from an individual tooth to other parts of your jaw, face or head?
• have a pimple-like bubble on your gum? Does it release foul-smelling and tasting pus or blood?
• have tooth pain that affects your life, disrupting your sleep and preventing you from moving through your daily routine without taking pain medicine?
• have a darker tooth that is distinct from your surrounding teeth, indicating a “dead” tooth?
• have a damaged, cracked tooth that has immediate signs of decay?

Your visit to the dentist could reveal a problem indicated by X-rays and can confirm the signs you have seen at home. Your dentist may tap on the affected tooth to evaluate its pain response, also known as percussion testing. The dentist may also utilize thermal testing, and apply hot or cold stimulus to ascertain sensitivity.

It is possible to have a tooth that needs a root canal procedure but that has no discernible symptoms to the patient. Regular check-ups and evaluations by your dentist can ensure that you are receiving the correct diagnosis and any necessary treatment you need to maintain your oral health for years to come.