When is a Root Canal Recommended?
If decay or a crack reaches the nerve deep inside your tooth, or if the nerve is exposed during an injury, the tooth will begin to die, abscess, or deteriorate from the inside. Fortunately, root canal therapy can preserve the remaining tooth structure for several more years.
How to Tell if You Need a Root Canal
Sometimes it’s not obvious whether or not a tooth is abscessed or dying. We will want to take an X-ray of the root to screen for abscesses. Additionally, we can test the tooth during your exam to screen for nerve inflammation or large cavities that may be triggering tooth pain. If your tooth hurts to bite down, you have a visible abscess, or it is hypersensitive to sweet or hot temperatures, you may need a root canal.
