How does a dentist tell which tooth needs a root canal?!


Question: 10 mos. ago, I had a big filling redone that was close to a nerve, & that tooth hurt for 2 mos. after. But the pain finally left and it's been fine. A few weeks ago, I thought it started hurting again. Last week I went to my dentist & he said although that tooth could be hurting again, the 2 teeth in front of that each had a cavity, and 1 of those cavities was super close to a nerve. The filling for that 1 was painful, and my dentist said I had nerve exposure and might need a root canal on that tooth. But, he also said he wasn't totally sure which tooth had been causing the majority of the pain. It's either the recent cavity/nerve exposure one, or the one that had the big filling redone 10 mos. ago that he said could be starting to abcess.
Last night I woke with horrible pain and suffered all day today, and have to get a root canal tomorrow. But, for which tooth? How can they tell? The 2 teeth in question are only 1 tooth apart, and I can't tell which, and I don't think he can either.


Answers: 10 mos. ago, I had a big filling redone that was close to a nerve, & that tooth hurt for 2 mos. after. But the pain finally left and it's been fine. A few weeks ago, I thought it started hurting again. Last week I went to my dentist & he said although that tooth could be hurting again, the 2 teeth in front of that each had a cavity, and 1 of those cavities was super close to a nerve. The filling for that 1 was painful, and my dentist said I had nerve exposure and might need a root canal on that tooth. But, he also said he wasn't totally sure which tooth had been causing the majority of the pain. It's either the recent cavity/nerve exposure one, or the one that had the big filling redone 10 mos. ago that he said could be starting to abcess.
Last night I woke with horrible pain and suffered all day today, and have to get a root canal tomorrow. But, for which tooth? How can they tell? The 2 teeth in question are only 1 tooth apart, and I can't tell which, and I don't think he can either.

they will look at the x-ray and see which one is closer to the nerve also if it abcesses they will be able to see the infection on the x-ray. There is also a method they use called endo-ice what this does is its almost like a dry ice type and they spray it on the tooth and if the nerve has been infection by a deep filling or cavity you will have a sensitivity on the tooth. But you got to remember they are Doctors of Dental just like ER doctors they have done alot of schooling... to them its nothing they will find it. Also if you have to go to a specialist for the root Canal they will know which one right away they deal with that type of stuff everyday. GOOD LUCK

The source of pain can be hard to find for the one with the problem but the dentist will look at the x-ray and see which teeth have the cavity causing the pain and will decide to give you a root canal or not.

x-ray





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