Symptoms that deserve assessment
Lingering sensitivity to heat or cold, pain on biting, spontaneous pain, swelling, a pimple on the gum or discoloration after trauma can indicate pulpal or root-end disease. Symptoms vary, and some infected teeth cause surprisingly little pain.
- Lingering temperature sensitivity
- Pain when chewing or releasing the bite
- Swelling or drainage near a tooth
- A deep cavity, fracture or previous large restoration
- Persistent symptoms after earlier root canal treatment
Diagnosis is more than an X-ray
The dentist compares the tooth with neighboring teeth using history, temperature or electric pulp tests, percussion, palpation, bite testing, periodontal probing and radiographs. Three-dimensional imaging may be appropriate in selected complex cases.
The key question is not only whether the pulp is inflamed or infected, but whether the tooth can be predictably restored and maintained.
Treatment and alternatives
When the pulp cannot heal, root canal treatment removes infected tissue, disinfects the internal anatomy and seals the system. The tooth then needs an appropriate final restoration. If the tooth is fractured beyond repair or has a poor periodontal prognosis, extraction and replacement options may be discussed.
This article provides general education and cannot diagnose your condition. Dental pain, swelling, trauma or rapidly changing symptoms require timely clinical assessment.