Root Canal Answers: Why, How, What…

Need A Root Canal? Be Aware Of...

Listen: Traverse City Dentist Dr. Klym explains potential root damage symptoms.

• Gum boil (swollen gums around teeth)
• Toothaches
• Hot cold sensitive tooth/teeth
• Sugar sensitivity
• Throbbing pain
• Dull aches
• Waking up at night with tooth pains
• Problems Chewing/Can't chew (pain when biting)
• Teeth that don’t ‘heal’
• Trauma can cause damage (symptoms might not show up for many years)

Why Does Tooth Pain Occur?

Car accident causes tooth pain 9 years later.

Listen: Dr. Klym of Northwood Dental explains how the need for root canals can show up after many years.

• Trauma (car accidents, dental work, sports injury, hit to face, fall, etc.)
• Cracked tooth (years of dental work, failed crown/bridge, large fillings, etc.)
• Decay/infection (general, missed root canal, etc.)
• Cracked tooth syndrome (teeth don’t heal like bones)
• Hairline tooth fractures
• Vertical tooth root fractures

What is Happening ‘In’ The Root?

Listen: Dr. Klym of Northwood Dental explains what happens after tooth root damage/infection.

• Like the brain – teeth react with swelling when traumatized
• Nerve damage and corresponding Infection causes pain
• Discharge of infection (pus) stresses the tooth; creating pressure producing pain.
• Gangrene sets in (If a nerve totally deteriorates and the root tissue dies, gangrene will develops.)