Root Canal Symptoms
A root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. Without treatment, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and abscesses may form. A root canal is a treatment of the pulp of the tooth that is inflamed, infected, or dead. The pulp is a soft substance in the center of the tooth that consists of nerve, blood vessels, and connective tissue. Sometimes no symptoms are present; however, signs you may need a root canal include: 1  Severe toothache pain upon chewing or application of pressure. 2  Prolonged sensitivity/pain to heat or cold temperatures (after the hot or cold has been removed). 3  Discoloration (a darkening) of the tooth. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. Without treatment, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and abscesses may form. A root canal procedure is performed when the nerve of the tooth becomes infected or the pulp becomes damaged. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp are removed, and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. Root canal treatment (RCT), or endodontic treatment, are the more correct terms for a procedure that treats the nerve of the tooth. Endodontics is a specialty of dentistry that deals specifically with the tooth pulp and tissues surrounding the root of the tooth. An abscess on gum above a front tooth, which needs RCT. Root canal symptoms that may indicate the need for this work include: 1  Severe tooth pain, often this persists for some time and possibly interrupts your sleep. 2  This pain may be due to the pulp dying off or an abscess forming at the tip of the offending tooth. The tooth's nerve lies within the root canal. A tooth's nerve is not vitally important to a tooth's health and function after the tooth has emerged through the gums. Its only function is sensory -- to provide the sensation of hot or cold. Learn how root canal treatment can relieve your tooth pain and save your smile, and find an endodontist in your area. To understand a root canal procedure, it helps to know about the anatomy of the tooth. Inside the tooth, under the white enamel and a hard layer called the dentin, is a soft tissue called the pulp. A toothache or swelling could indicate that a tooth needs a root canal. If you have these symptoms you should see your dentist. An exam and x-ray of the tooth will help the dentist decide if your tooth needs a root canal.
1 Severe toothache pain upon chewing or application of pressure. 2 Prolonged sensitivity/pain to heat or cold temperatures (after the hot or cold has been removed). 3 Discoloration (a darkening) of the tooth.