When a Root Canal Is Necessary

Without a dental examination, it’s almost impossible to tell if you need a root canal. However, if this type of dental procedure is necessary, Dr. C. Bradley Miller at Columbia Center for Dentistry in Columbia, MO will be able to tell you and perform I quickly and painlessly.


When You Need a Root Canal

Columbia dental patients will need a root canal for the following reasons:


  • Persistent pain: This is the main indicator that you have a problem with the root of one of your teeth. If you’re having trouble biting or chewing because of the pain, or you are noticing unusual sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, you should see Dr. Miller as soon as you can.
  • A chipped or cracked tooth: Your teeth can become chipped or cracked from playing contact sports, eating hard foods, or from an injury. Once a tooth is damaged in this way, the nerve is exposed and open to infection. If the infection enters your bloodstream it can spread throughout your body.
  • Swollen gums: If your gum is swollen around one of your teeth, or you have a raised bump on your gum, this could be a sign of infection or inflammation and a root canal may be needed.
  • Tooth discoloration: If one of your teeth suddenly becomes darkly discolored, this could be due to nerve and blood vessel damage within the tooth. In this case, you will need a root canal to remove the damaged root.
  • Deep decay: If decay has developed deep into a tooth or a cavity has been neglected for too long, you will need a root canal before the tooth can be repaired with a crown.


Don’t panic. If you live in Columbia and you think you may have a dental issue that can be resolved with a root canal, contact Dr. Miller at (573) 446-2687 to schedule an appointment.

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