Signs You May Need a Root Canal

What your dentist in Arlington, VA wants you to know

If you are having consistent tooth pain, you may have questions about what to do next. Your first step should be to seek out a great dentist. Your dentist can help you decide if you need a filling or a root canal first. If there is deep decay, sometimes a root canal is needed to eliminate dental pain. So, how do you know if you need a root canal? Dr. Hanley at Bruce Hanley and Associates in Arlington, VA wants to help answer that question.

There are definite signs and symptoms that a root canal might be in your future. You need to pay attention to a tooth that is:

• More painful after exposure to hot or cold temperatures
• More painful after a filling is placed on the tooth
• Radiating pain to other areas of your jaw, face or head
• Continuously painful with a stabbing, aching, throbbing pain

You also need to look for changes to your gums around the tooth root. You probably need a root canal if you see a red or white bump, bleeding, swelling, or white drainage coming out from the gums near the root of the tooth.

Sometimes you may see no visible signs that anything is wrong, and you may feel no painful symptoms, but your tooth may still be dying naturally. This happens because the inner area of the tooth, called the pulp, is hardening and you are losing blood and nerve supply to the tooth. This process is called sclerosis. You may only notice that the dying tooth appears darker and grayer than the teeth next to it.

The only way to ensure you need a root canal is to visit your dentist. Dr. Hanley will take state-of-the-art digital x-rays and perform temperature and vitality testing to determine if your tooth is still vital. If you do need a root canal, rest assured that Dr. Hanley will provide expert care in comfortable surroundings.

A root canal can eliminate dental pain and allow you to keep your tooth, so before you think about tooth removal, think about root canal therapy. For more information about root canals and other restorative and cosmetic dental services call Dr. Hanley at Bruce Hanley and Associates in Arlington, VA today!