Root Canals – My Tooth Is in Pain, Do I Need One?

Tooth pain has a way of grabbing your attention like nothing else. It might start as a dull throb or suddenly spike into a sharp, shooting pain. Either way, if your tooth is aching, the big question is: Do I need a root canal?

Let’s unpack what’s really going on when a tooth hurts, what a root canal is (and isn’t), and how to know when this treatment is the right call.

Tooth Pain: What Could It Mean?

Not all toothaches lead to root canals, but some definitely do. The key is understanding why your tooth hurts.

Here are a few possible causes:

• Tooth decay that has reached the inner pulp
• A cracked or fractured tooth allowing bacteria inside
• Repeated dental procedures weakening the tooth
• Injury or trauma (even if there's no visible damage)
• Infection or abscess near the root

You might feel sensitivity to hot or cold, pressure while chewing, or pain that lingers and worsens. In some cases, there’s swelling or a small bump on the gums (a sign of an abscess).

If that pain keeps coming back or gets worse, your tooth might be in trouble—and that’s where root canal therapy comes in.

What Is a Root Canal, Really?

Root canals get a bad rap, but modern dentistry has made them much more comfortable than you might think.

A root canal is a procedure that:

1. Removes the infected or inflamed pulp from inside your tooth.
2. Cleans and disinfects the inner chamber.
3. Fills and seals it to prevent future infection.
4. Often tops the tooth with a crown to restore function and strength.

Think of it as a rescue operation. The goal is to save the natural tooth and stop the pain—not to cause more of it.

Most patients report that the procedure feels no worse than getting a filling. In fact, the biggest relief usually comes after, when that constant pain finally disappears.

Why Saving Your Natural Tooth Matters

According to the American Association of Endodontists, saving your natural tooth with a root canal has key benefits over extraction:

• Keeps your natural bite and chewing ability intact
• Maintains alignment with surrounding teeth
• Prevents bone loss in the jaw
• Avoids the need for bridges or implants (in many cases)

Root canals also have a high success rate—often lasting a lifetime with proper care.

Root Canal Therapy: The Benefits Backed by Research

Research shows that patients who undergo root canal therapy experience:

• Long-term tooth retention rates above 90% over 10 years (Journal of Dental Research)
• Improved quality of life due to reduced pain and preserved function
• Minimal complications when treated early

Plus, modern advances in imaging and instruments make the procedure faster, more precise, and more comfortable than ever before.

Stop the Tooth Pain—Save the Tooth

If your tooth is throbbing, don’t tough it out. Pain is your body’s way of waving a red flag. And if a root canal is what your tooth needs, the sooner you act, the better the outcome.

Call Eagle Mountain Dentistry at 817-420-6676 or visit us at 8455 Boat Club Rd, Ste. 175 in Fort Worth, Texas to schedule a consultation and get relief that lasts.

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