Do I Need a Root Canal?

A root canal is a dental treatment that becomes necessary when a tooth has become badly damaged or decayed to the point that the tooth pulp has been infected. Ideally, any decay inside a tooth will be treated with a dental filling, but if it is allowed to progress, it can necessitate a root canal. And if you are concerned about the pain experienced during the procedure, do not fret. Many patients have described the treatment as being no more painful than getting a standard filling.

There are several symptoms to look out for that could indicate that the pulp has become infected. These include:

•    Increased sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
•    Severe toothache
•    Pain when pressure is applied to the tooth
•    Swelling or tenderness in the gums
•    Tooth discoloration

Sometimes, an infected tooth will be asymptomatic, which means you will not even notice that anything is wrong. But our dentist in Long Beach will still be able to detect an infection during a routine dental examination.

It is important to see our expert in root canal at the first sign of trouble because an untreated root canal can lead to much more severe pain. At a certain point, the only way to treat the tooth will be with an extraction, so it is much better to see our dental expert in root canal in Long Beach sooner rather than later when something seems amiss.