I had my 6-month dental exam and cleaning last week. My dentist took an X-ray and said I had an infection in my right front tooth. I noticed the tooth was discolored, but I didn’t think it was infected because I didn’t have pain or sensitivity.
My dentist asked me to schedule a root canal for the tooth, but I told the lady at checkout that I would call to schedule it. Is root canal overtreatment for a discolored tooth? If I don’t feel any pain, how long can I delay the root canal? Thanks. Max from Tacoma, WA
Max,
You shouldn’t delay treatment. Consider these factors.
- A tooth turning dark can be a sign of an underlying issue. You might not experience pain or discomfort, even if the tooth is infected because the tooth pulp died, which is why it’s discolored. While other reasons may cause a tooth to change color, an infection is the most likely culprit, especially if only one tooth is affected.
- What is the best way to treat the tooth? While a crown can improve the tooth’s appearance, addressing the infection with a root canal is essential for oral health.
- If you need to spread out the costs, consider getting the root canal done first and then the crown a few months later. Once the infection is treated, you might even feel a little better.
- Ask your dentist for reassurance. Your dentist may let you smell the instrument used inside the tooth during the root canal procedure. The odor can be unpleasant, but it will help you understand the extent of the infection.
Leaving an infection untreated allows it to spread to other teeth, causing a dental emergency. A tooth infection can even spread into the jawbone and bloodstream.
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