Root canal treatment may preserve a natural tooth when the pulp inside it is irreversibly damaged or infected. A diagnosis requires examination and usually dental imaging.
This content is general information, not a personal diagnosis or treatment recommendation. A dental examination is needed for individual symptoms.
Facial or jaw swelling, fever, a bad taste, difficulty opening the mouth, breathing or swallowing may indicate spreading infection and require urgent assessment.
Possible signs
Lingering pain after hot or cold, pain when biting, throbbing that wakes you, tooth darkening, a pimple-like gum swelling or facial swelling may occur. Some infected teeth cause few symptoms.
What happens during treatment?
With local anaesthetic, damaged or infected tissue is removed, the canals are cleaned and shaped, then sealed. A filling or crown may be needed depending on how much tooth structure remains.
If pain stops, is the problem gone?
Not always. Pain may reduce when the pulp loses vitality while infection continues around the root. Symptoms disappearing does not remove the need for assessment.