• Blog >
  • Signs You May Need a Root Canal
RSS Feed

Signs You May Need a Root Canal

Could your dental symptoms be trying to tell you that a root canal is on the horizon?

No one wants to think about problems with their smiles but it can happen whether we want it to or not. So, what symptoms are not to be Root Canalignored and what are some signs that it’s time to see your Shelby, NC dentist Dr. Joseph Hendrick, Jr.? Find out now so that you don’t lose a tooth to something that could have been treated.

Warning Signs that You May Need a Root Canal

While tooth pain is a warning of a problem it doesn’t necessary mean you need a root canal (there are many reasons for dental pain). But here are some telltale signs of infection that could mean a root canal is imminent:

  • Severe dental pain that occurs either when putting pressure on the affected tooth or while eating
  • Prolonged tooth sensitivity to hot or cold
  • Darkening of the tooth
  • Swelling, pain or tenderness of the gums surrounding the tooth
  • A pimple-like growth (abscess) on the gums near the affected tooth

If you are noticing any of these symptoms then it’s time to get immediate dental treatment from your Shelby, NC general dentist.

How Root Canals Ease Pain

Before a root canal can actually happen the first step will be to run X-rays to determine just how much damage has been done to the tooth (a tooth that is affected by trauma, decay or an infection severely enough that it reaches the inside of the tooth will require a root canal). These X-rays will help us determine whether a root canal is the right course of action.

For the treatment itself, the procedure will be performed under local anesthesia so that you don’t experience any discomfort. Many people needing a root canal are in a lot of pain when they come into the office. Numbing the area can often be a major relief to the sufferer.

Once the anesthesia has kicked in it’s time to start the root canal. We will begin by drilling into the hard layers of enamel until we get inside the tooth. Once inside, we will clean it out and remove the decaying or infected tissue (also known as the dental pulp). Antibiotics may also be placed into the root canals to prevent the infection from coming back.

Then we will rebuild the tooth using a special material to fill the canals and the rest of the tooth. In order to protect the overall structure of the tooth, your Shelby restorative dentist will often place a dental crown over the tooth.

Have questions about root canals? Wondering if your symptoms warrant a trip to our Shelby, NC dental office for care? Then don’t hesitate to call Dr. Joseph Hendrick, Jr. today. Your smile depends on it!

Dentist in Shelby, NC
Joseph R. Hendrick, Jr., DDS,
PA
511 N. Morgan Street
Shelby, NC 28150
Phone: (704) 484-0077
Dentist in Shelby, NC Call to Schedule Your
Appointment Today

Contact Us

Send Us an Email