In many cases, severe pain in your tooth is a sign that you need a root canal treatment. But what if the discomfort goes away on its own? Surely that means the problem has taken care of itself? Unfortunately, this likely isn’t the case; the pain might be gone, but the problem that initially caused it could still remain. Here’s a closer look at why you may still need to have root canal treatment performed even if your tooth no longer hurts.
Why You Might Need a Root Canal Treatment for Tooth Pain
Pain in your tooth is often a side effect of infected dental pulp (the innermost layer of the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels). In addition to causing discomfort, the infection could eventually start to spread to the rest of your mouth. To stop the problem at its source, your endodontist can perform a root canal treatment, which involves taking out the pulp and disinfecting the inside of the tooth.
Why a Root Canal Treatment Can Be Needed Even If There’s No Pain
If the infection inside your tooth remains untreated, it will continue to damage the nerves located in the pulp. Eventually, the damage can reach the point where the nerves are no longer capable of sending pain signals. This can put a stop to your discomfort, but it doesn’t change the fact that the infection is still present and remains a threat to your oral health. Thus, a root canal treatment will likely still be required to address the true underlying issue.
What Can You Expect During Root Canal Treatment?
Despite its reputation, root canal treatment is no more painful than having a filling placed. Your endodontist will use a local anesthetic to keep your mouth numb throughout the procedure, and they’ll take every possible step to keep you as comfortable as possible while your tooth is being worked on.
To perform a root canal treatment, your endodontist will create an opening in your enamel. Said opening will allow them to remove the pulp and clean the tooth’s inner canals. Once the treatment is complete, the tooth will be refilled with a biocompatible substance, and a crown will likely be placed to keep it safe.
In general, it’s best to have a root canal treatment performed as soon as possible. Even if your tooth isn’t currently in pain, having the issue dealt with quickly could ultimately make all the difference for your oral health!
About the Author
Dr. Tam Trinh has over a decade of endodontic experience. He earned his dental degree from the University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry, and he completed his endodontic residency at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He’s highly experienced in saving his patients’ infected teeth via root canal treatment. If you think you may be suffering from an infected tooth, you can schedule a consultation with Dr. Trinh at MeTa Endodontics in Deerfield by visiting his website or calling (847) 920-6382.