A root canal therapy procedure can be daunting, so many patients want to know: do you still need a root canal if the pain goes away? Please read our article to learn the answer to this question. Below, we also discuss the benefits of root canal therapy and signs that you need the procedure.
Do You Still Need a Root Canal If the Pain Goes Away?
Root canal therapy is typically recommended for patients with severe infection of the pulp in the inner chamber of the tooth. Unfortunately, once the tooth becomes infected, it is highly unlikely to heal without treatment. Thus, if your dentist conducts an examination and x-rays and comes to the conclusion that you are a candidate for a root canal treatment, you will need the procedure even if the pain goes away.
The toothache you feel due to tooth decay is only a symptom of infection. The pain can subside for some time, but it does not mean that the infection miraculously goes away with it. In fact, in some cases, the pain might go away for a time because the infection kills the nerves in the tooth that feel the pain. If left untreated, the infection will still keep spreading to the gums, surrounding teeth, and even to the jawbone. Often, when patients put off the recommended root canal treatment, they end up losing the tooth and needing more expensive and time-consuming treatments, such as dental implants or bridges, in the future.
Signs That You Might Require Root Canal Therapy
As we mentioned before, pain caused by a tooth infection might come and go, but other symptoms can signify that you might need root canal therapy, too:
- Dark spots on the tooth or discoloration of the entire tooth
- Swollen, reddened, or darkened gums around the tooth
- Swelling of the face or jaw in the area of the infected tooth
- Pimples or cysts on the gums in the area of the infected tooth
- Unpleasant taste in the mouth or bad breath that persists even after brushing and flossing your teeth
- Sensitivity of the infected tooth to changes in temperature (for example, pain when consuming very hot or very cold drinks)
- Sensitivity to sugar
- Pain when touching the infected tooth or the gum tissue around it
- A tooth that is loose and unstable in its socket
- The tooth in question sustained physical damage and is cracked or broken.
Root Canal Therapy Procedure and Its Benefits
During root canal therapy, your dentist will access the inner chamber of the tooth where the infected pulp is located through the crown of the tooth. Then, they will remove the infected pulp, clean the canals, and seal them with a biocompatible material. In some cases, when the infection significantly weakens the tooth, a dental crown will be placed on it to reinforce its structure and protect it from damage in the future.
Root canal therapy is typically performed using a local anesthetic, which prevents the patient from feeling pain or discomfort. Also, sedation might be used to make the procedure less stressful for patients who have severe dental anxiety, high tolerance to local anesthetics, or find it challenging to remain in the same position for the duration of the procedure. In general, a root canal is a routine, safe, and effective procedure that can benefit patients with infected teeth in many ways.
The Benefits of Root Canal Therapy
The benefits of the procedure include:
- After a root canal treatment, most patients feel immediate relief from pain and swelling.
- Root canal treatment removes infection from the mouth, preventing its spread to the other teeth, jawbone, and gum tissue.
- Infections in the mouth are closely connected with various illnesses of the heart, lungs, joints, and gastrointestinal system. Thus, a root canal improves not only oral health but general health as well.
- Root canal treatment helps save the infected tooth from extraction and restore its function, thus illuminating the future need for more costly and time-consuming dental treatments (for example, replacement of the extracted tooth with a dental implant or a dental bridge).
Make an Appointment at Shodhan DHS
Trust an experienced dentist at Shodhan DHS with your root canal treatment. Remember that postponing the procedure can lead to tooth loss and the infection spreading in the mouth. In our dental office, we use modern methods and equipment to restore and preserve the oral health of our patients. Our specialists look forward to your visit.
