Do I Need A Root Canal? Please help? Dentist or Endodonstist?

Question

Ok, I am trying to get help with my tooth situation so I am going to list my symptoms and hopefully some professionals can help me determine what it "could" mean.

1. Slight throbbing feeling
2. Sensitive to pro-long exposure to cold air
3. No tapping pain
4. No sensitivity to hot or cold liquids
5. There is a cavity present already

If a Professional could help me that would be great. I have an appointment in 2 wks with my dentist. Thank you!

Answer 1

Generally the degree of damage relates to:
1. the type of sensitivity - hot sens is a worse sign that cold sens
2. the length of the sensitivity - the longer each episode lasts, the worse the damage
3. the length of time it's been troubling you - the longer you've put up with it the worse the prognosis
4. can you aggravate the pain (better) or does it come and go without warning (worse)?
5. tenderness to chewing or tapping? the more touchy the worse your chances
6. painkiller usage - if you are constantly needing painkillers then your chances are worse.
From the symptoms you describe, you have a medium-to-large hole. You have not yet developed an abscess. However, the depth of the cavity will only be determined when the dentist cleans out the decay. I would give you a 50/50 chance of nerve involvement requiring RCT.
If the cavity is easily accessible, then it could be helpful if you get a temporary filling material from your pharmacist and plugging up the hole.
Also, sometimes teeth like this can be difficult to anaesthetise. Take some ibuprofen 1 hour before your appoinment to dampen the expected sensitivity. And... good luck!

Answer 2

ok. i am a dental assistant going on 5 years, what it sounds to me is that u may have an absess. although i see u say you do have a cavity it depends how long u have had it. the more decay the worse it becomes. the longer u have had to cavity the most likely it is that u will either need to get it pulled or root canal. that all depends on you though. ok but any ways i would need to see an x ray to tell u what i think 100% but from what it sounds like you are going to go to the dr and he will take an x ray and then he will numb you and then he will put a ZOE in. which is a temp filling to see if that helps it heal and he will prob give u antibiotic and prob tylenol 3 for pain. thats the best i can so hun. i really dont think u will NOT need root canal.... unless u been putting off this cavity for more than 1 or 2 yrs.

Answer 3

If you yourself can see the cavity, it's probably quite deep and serious. It might need a root canal if not a big filling. For now, you need to continue to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing everyday and you might want to try using a flouride mouthrinse. And pls! do not poke the cavity or anything! Your dentist will do the relevant diagnosis. =)

Answer 4

It could mean you have a cavity. Why escalate it?