Symptoms for an endodontic procedure include adjacent gums, tooth discoloration or swelling, and tooth tenderness. In addition, the following are some common reasons for needing root canal treatment.

Pain: A toothache is the most common symptom of needing a root canal. If the tooth is still alive, you may experience extreme sensitivity to heat or cold. The tooth may hurt spontaneously and can progress to a very severe headache. If the tooth is dead, you may feel pain when pressure is put on the tooth. Swelling and bleeding may also occur.

Abscess: An abscess forms when the tooth’s pulp dies and a pus pocket forms around the end of the root. If left untreated, the abscess will grow and infect the bone around the tooth’s root.

Deep Decay: Tooth decay can extend deep into the tooth and reach the pulp, infecting it with bacteria. The tooth may become inflamed and painful and can eventually die.

Trauma: If a tooth is hit hard, the nerve can be severed at the end of the root and eventually die.

Fracture: A fractured tooth can extend and reach the pulp. A root canal may need to be performed so a post can be placed down the channel of the tooth to help retain the restoration.

Repeated Dental Procedures: Dental procedures can produce significant stress on a tooth, and repeated drilling may cause a tooth’s pulp to become inflamed.

In the past, whenever one of these situations occurred, the only solution was to have the infected tooth extracted. Root canal treatment is a beneficial option that allows a patient to save his or her natural tooth, even after decay, infection, or trauma.