Do I need a Root Canal?!
Question:
Do I need a Root Canal?
About a year ago i had a cavity filled at the dentist. a few weeks after my visit, i went back because every time i would bite down or clench my teeth, i would be in so much pain. also i would be in pain with cold foods. anyways, so i went back and he filed down my tooth and said it should feel better and that even to this day, he has filled teeth that are senstive to cold foods. so today, a year later, there are certain hard foods that give me pain when i chew them, but it only happens if the food hits the tooth just right. but my question is, do you think i might need a root canal? i just feel like my dentist would have told me when i went in last summer that i need to watch that tooth because i might need a root canal.
Also, to all those people who have had root canals....how did you know that you had one? did you have extreme pain in that tooth?
Answers:
It is possible that you might need a root canal, but my gut instinct tells me you might have a fracture in your tooth. Sometimes the fracture will cause a portion (large or small) to break away which then might feel better. However, you might need to then patch the broken area so you do not get a new cavity. Fractures do not show up on Xrays, but abcesses (infections) of the nerve do. Discuss it with your dentist and don't forget you can always get a second opinion.
I have not had a root canal but can tell you that a root canal is a procedure is when the nerve inside the tooth is removed and a putty like material is put in its place. Usually it is done because injury or infection has damaged the nerve and someone is in pain. I have seen cases where a root canal was needed and the patient was totally unaware (had no pain) but the infection showed up on their Xrays. Any infection of this sort will not go away and needs to be treated so bone damage in the area does not take place. If a tooth has a root canal it there is a good likelyhood that you will have it for years to come, though a crown (covering) for the tooth will be recommended as the tooth will become more brittle due to the lack of nerve. Good luck!
JAMRDH- a dental hygienist