Why Would I Need a Root Canal if I Don’t Feel Any Pain?

Everyone should receive routine dental exams and cleanings at least twice a year so that their dentist can monitor their oral health and correct any issues in their early stages. Just as you may not have realized that you need a filling when your dentist recommends one, many patients are surprised to learn that they need a root canal treatment when they don’t have any pain in their teeth. Here’s why you might need a root canal even if you aren’t experiencing any discomfort.

How Do Root Canals Work?

Root canals are used to prevent the loss of teeth by eliminating severe infections inside them. To perform a root canal, your dentist will begin by administering a local anesthetic to render the process painless before accessing the inner chamber of the tooth being treated. They will then extract the inflamed pulp to eliminate the infection at its source and remove any damaged tooth structure.

Once the inner chamber has been cleared of infected tissue, your dentist will sanitize it, fill it with a special dental material, and seal it to prevent future infections. In many cases, the patient will also receive a crown to restore the tooth’s appearance and function.

Why Would I Need a Root Canal if I Feel No Pain?

While severe pain is often the first sign that someone needs a root canal, many patients may need this procedure even if their teeth seem perfectly comfortable. In some cases, a dentist performing a routine oral exam may discover clear signs of advanced decay in a tooth and determine that a root canal is the best way to ensure the infection does not spread or cause a severe toothache in the future. This can prevent tooth loss, the decay spreading to other teeth, and even dangerous secondary infections like sepsis.

While you have probably seen root canals comedically portrayed as absolutely horrible on TV and in movies, the truth is that these procedures are completely painless and involve only easily manageable discomfort during the recovery process. If your dentist recommends a root canal, you can rest assured that it is in your best interest.

About the Author

Dr. David Rosenfeld earned his dental degree at the Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery in New York City and completed a post-doctorate general practice residency at the Jamaica Hospital and Medical Center in Queens, New York. He is proud to be a member of the American Dental Association and the American Dental Education Association. His office in Edison, NJ, offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as root canal treatments. If you think you may need a root canal, contact his office online or dial (908) 668-7838.