The dental operation that removes deterioration from your tooth's pulp and root is known as a root canal. To save and restore a severely damaged or infected tooth, popular operations include root canal therapy and dental apicoectomy (root end surgery).

Your teeth have a hard inner core that extends into the root in your jawbone, a second layer of dentin on top, and an outside covering of enamel. The dental pulp, which is made up of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue, is found in the core. The pulp may swell, infect, or even turn necrotic if deterioration penetrates the soft core (dead). In order to remove the deterioration, a root canal is required.

How do you determine if you require a root canal, then? Exist any obvious signs? To find out more about the signs that you could require a root canal, keep reading.

A root canal: what is it?

Similar to a miniature Roto-Rooter, a root canal operation removes decay while saving the affected tooth.

Your dentist will perform a root canal procedure to:

• Remove germs and decay from the tooth pulp, root, and nerve;
• Clean the region with antibiotics;
• Fill the empty roots; and
• Seal the area to stop further decay.

Your general dentist or an endodontist, a specialist, can perform a root canal.

Your natural tooth remains in place after the root canal procedure, which also stops additional decay. However, it increases the tooth's brittleness. Because of this, a crown is frequently placed over a tooth that has undergone a root canal.

Root-canal signs

You can only be sure if you require a root canal by visiting your dentist. However, there are a few red flags to watch out for.
It's crucial to schedule an appointment with your dentist right away if you experience any of these signs. The better the results are likely to be the sooner your tooth can be treated.

1. Chronic discomfort

One of the warning indicators that you could require a root canal is persistent tooth discomfort. Your toothache may be a constant source of discomfort for you or it may come and go but always come back.

You might have discomfort all the way down in the tooth's bone. Or, you can get referred pain in your other teeth, jaw, or face.

Root canals are not the only possible reason for tooth pain. Additional options include:

•    Gum disease,
•    A cavity
•    Transferred pain from a sinus infection or another issue
•    A broken filling
•    A potentially infected impacted tooth

If you experience tooth pain, it's a good idea to visit your dentist, especially if the pain is severe or chronic, regardless of the source. Better results are frequently achieved with early identification and treatment of dental discomfort.

2. Responsiveness to cold and heat

When you consume warm food or a cup of coffee, does it damage your tooth? Alternatively, possibly consuming ice cream or consuming an icy cold beverage makes your teeth feel sensitive. The sensitivity may seem like a throbbing pain or a dull discomfort. If this discomfort lasts for a long time even after you stop eating or drinking, you could require a root canal. It may be a sign that the blood vessels and nerves in your teeth are infected or damaged if your tooth hurts when you consume hot or cold liquids.

3. Discoloured teeth

Your tooth may get discoloured if the pulp of your tooth becomes infected. The roots of the tooth might become damaged and appear greyish-black as a result of trauma or internal tissue collapse. Experts say, "Tooth pulps can die when there is insufficient blood supply, thereby highlighting a prospective need for a root canal. "Even though there are numerous reasons why teeth can become discoloured, it's always a good idea to visit the dentist if you find that the colour of a tooth is changing.

4. Inflamed & swollen gums

Gum swelling close to the sore tooth may indicate a root canal is necessary. The oedema could fluctuate. You might feel some tenderness when you touch it, or you might not feel any pain. According to experts, swelling is brought on by the acidic waste products of dead pulp tissues, which can produce swelling (edoema) outside of the root tip area. Additionally, you can have a little pimple on your gums. A gum boil, parulis, or abscess is what this is.

The dental infection may cause the pimple to ooze pus. You may get a terrible aftertaste and bad breath as a result of this.

5. Discomfort when eating or touching the teeth

A root canal may be necessary to treat serious tooth decay or nerve damage if a tooth is painful to touch or when food is consumed. This is especially true if the sensitivity doesn't go away when you stop eating and lasts for a long period.

"The dying pulp may cause the ligament surrounding the root tip of an infected tooth to become hypersensitive. The by products of the dying pulp may irritate the ligament and cause discomfort from biting pressure.

6. Tooth that is fractured or chipped

Bacteria can grow in an injury to your tooth caused by an accident, a contact sport, or chewing on something hard, which can result in swelling and infection.
The nerves of the tooth may still be damaged even if you hurt it but it doesn't chip or shatter. Inflamed nerves can produce pain and sensitivity and may necessitate root canal therapy.

7. Mobile teeth

Your tooth may feel looser if it is infected.

"This can be a symptom that a root canal is required, but it can also be caused by other things besides pulpal necrosis (nerve death),". Acidic waste products from nerve death can cause the bone surrounding a dying tooth's root to weaken and become mobile.

When multiple teeth are loose, the mobility is probably due to something other than a problem that could require a root canal treatment.

Only the best dentist in Gurgaon can answer the question: "Do I need a root canal?" Call Dr Goel Dental Clinic And Implant Centre one of the top dental clinics in Gurgaon right away if you notice any uneasiness in your tooth.