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7 Signs You Need a Root Canal—and What to Expect Next
Posted on March 15th, 2023
Tooth pain isn’t just uncomfortable—it can be a sign that something more serious is going on beneath the surface. In many cases, lingering tooth pain or sensitivity means the nerve inside your tooth is inflamed or infected, which may require a root canal.
Understanding the signs you need a root canal can help you act quickly and avoid complications down the line. In this guide, we’ll walk through those symptoms and also touch on related issues like root canals vs fillings, root canals vs crowns, and when pulp capping might be an option.
What Is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a dental procedure that removes infected or inflamed pulp (the soft tissue inside your tooth) to relieve pain and save your natural tooth. After the pulp is removed, the area is cleaned, sealed, and usually protected with a dental crown.
When performed early enough, a root canal can prevent the need for a tooth extraction and restore full function to your tooth.
Signs You Need a Root Canal
Here are the 7 most common signs you need a root canal:
1. Persistent Tooth Pain
One of the most common signs you may need a root canal is ongoing or severe tooth pain, especially when chewing or applying pressure to your teeth. If the pain lasts more than a few days or seems to come and go, it may indicate that the pulp inside your tooth is damaged or infected.
2. Lingering Sensitivity to Hot or Cold
It’s normal to feel brief sensitivity when eating something hot or cold. But if the discomfort lingers long after the temperature change—or turns into a dull ache or sharp pain—that’s a red flag. Prolonged sensitivity suggests nerve involvement and may point to root canal therapy.
3. Swollen or Tender Gums
Swelling near a specific tooth may signal infection at the root. You might also notice tenderness, a small pimple-like bump (called a fistula), or drainage around the gum. This often means the infection has reached the surrounding tissues and requires prompt attention.
4. Tooth Discoloration
When a tooth turns gray or dark brown, it could mean the pulp has died or is infected. This type of discoloration is different from staining due to food or drink—it usually affects just one tooth and may be accompanied by other symptoms like pain or swelling.
5. Pain After a Filling
If you’ve recently had a cavity filled and your tooth still hurts after a week or more, you might be dealing with deeper decay than initially thought. One of the clearest signs you need a root canal after a filling is a sharp or throbbing pain, especially when biting down. This suggests that the infection has reached the pulp and now needs more than a surface-level solution.
6. Cracked or Chipped Tooth
Accidents, grinding, or biting down on something hard can crack a tooth and expose or irritate the nerve inside. If you have a cracked or chipped tooth and begin to notice pain, sensitivity, or swelling, a root canal may be necessary to treat the damaged pulp and prevent infection.
7. Loose Tooth
An infected tooth can sometimes feel loose. As the infection spreads to the surrounding ligaments, they may weaken and cause the tooth to shift or feel unstable. While other issues can cause loose teeth, this symptom shouldn’t be ignored.
Root Canal vs Filling: Which One Do I Need?
You may be wondering: Do I just need a filling—or something more?
A filling is appropriate when decay hasn’t reached the pulp. The dentist removes the decayed portion and restores the tooth with composite material. But if the infection has reached the nerve or is causing internal inflammation, a root canal is the next step.
The general rule is:
- Minor decay or small cavity = filling
- Deep decay, infection, or nerve pain = root canal
Your dentist will confirm the diagnosis using a combination of a visual exam, X-rays, and a review of your symptoms.
Pulp Capping vs Root Canal: Which One Do I Need?
If the pulp is exposed but not infected, your dentist may suggest pulp capping—a less invasive procedure that places a protective layer over the pulp to help it heal. This is sometimes used in younger patients or very early-stage decay.
However, once bacteria invade the pulp, pulp capping won’t help, and a root canal becomes necessary. That’s why early detection matters.
Why Root Canals Often Require a Dental Crown
After a root canal, the tooth is technically still alive, but it no longer has a nerve. This means it can become brittle over time. To protect your tooth, most dentists place a dental crown over the tooth to restore its function and strength.
The dental crown procedure usually involves two appointments: one to shape the tooth and take impressions, and another to place the finished crown. For back teeth especially, a crown is highly recommended to prevent cracks or fractures later on.
Can You Get Just a Crown?
Patients often wonder, “Do I need a root canal or crown?” or “Can I just get a crown?”
If the tooth is structurally compromised but not infected, a crown alone may be enough. But if there’s pain, swelling, or decay near the pulp, you may need a root canal before getting a crown. In many cases, the two procedures go hand-in-hand.
Why Prompt Root Canal Treatment Matters
Delaying a root canal can lead to:
- Abscess formation
- Worsening pain
- Bone loss around the tooth root
- Tooth loss or extraction
On the other hand, getting treated early can save your natural tooth and reduce long-term costs.
How to Know If You Need a Root Canal
Still unsure whether you need a root canal or something simpler like a filling? Here’s a quick recap of what to look for:
- Persistent tooth pain, especially when chewing
- Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers
- Swollen gums or a pimple-like bump near a tooth
- Discoloration of a single tooth
- Pain after a recent filling
- Cracked or chipped teeth with pain or swelling
- Loose teeth with no clear cause
These symptoms often signal that the pulp inside your tooth is inflamed or infected, and waiting could lead to more damage. While treatments like pulp capping or a dental crown may be part of the solution, only a dental exam can confirm the right approach.
Get Relief Today at Windy City Family Dental
If you’re experiencing any of the signs you need a root canal, don’t wait until the pain becomes unbearable. At Windy City Family Dental, we use the latest technology to diagnose and treat root problems quickly and comfortably.
Whether you need a root canal, filling, or crown, we’ll guide you through your options and help you protect your smile.
Call us today or request an appointment online—relief is just one visit away.
