There are few things more uncomfortable than having a toothache. However, while most people try to avoid visiting their dentist in NE Calgary if they’re in pain, this is not the way to go. You should immediately schedule an appointment with our dentist near you when you have any ache in one of your teeth. This is because pain can be an indication that something is wrong. Furthermore, you might need a filling or a root canal procedure. You won’t know which one you need until you visit our dentist near you.
However, certain signs and symptoms might give you a clue as to what is happening with your teeth. Although most of these are similar, there are slight differences in whether you need a root canal treatment in Saddle Ridge or a filling.
The first thing you need to know is that these procedures are completely different, and they treat different issues. Both a filling and a root canal respond to a situation in which there’s decay in one or more teeth. However, the degree and severity of the damage will determine which procedure you’ll need. While a filling is perfect for treating minor cavities and tooth damage, a root canal is used when the infection has reached the pulp. The pulp, which contains blood vessels and nerves, is extracted when you acquire a root canal near you, the tooth is filled, and a crown is often placed afterward.
How to Know What Procedure You Require?
As you can imagine, the severity of the symptoms will be different. Patients that require a filling will often feel:
- Pain. It can be a constant throbbing or a stabbing pain. Furthermore, it might be exacerbated while chewing or taking a bite out of something.
- You observe that the strings of your floss are getting stuck and torn when you use them on your teeth.
- Increased sensitivity to the temperature of a meal.
- A black or dark spot is visible on your tooth.
These symptoms are likely to be worse when you need a root canal. Here are some examples of what you might perceive when you need to have root canal therapy in NE Calgary:
- Swelling of the gum area. You might see reddening and an increase in size. This usually takes place around the affected tooth.
- Chipped or cracked tooth. It might be that a prior filling you had was affected, or you suffered damage to one of your teeth.
- Pain. Just like when you need fillings, there might be pain. However, the pain is often more severe when you need a root canal near you.
- Sensitivity. Aside from being extremely sensitive to the temperature of your food, this feeling can last for days or weeks, even after you are not exposed to whatever caused it in the first place.
An important note regarding pain when needing a filling or a root canal is that this is not always the cause. This means that you can have considerable decay in one of your teeth without feeling any pain. This is where regular consults with our dentist near you come in handy. You should visit our dental office near you at least twice yearly for a check-up and deep cleaning. This is a great way to prevent the decay that could lead you to require a filling or a root canal treatment in NE Calgary.