How does a dentist determine if a root canal is needed or not?
Recently I decided after 10+ years that I better get brave and go to the dentist if I want to keep the teeth I have left. So this morning the dentist said I needed a root canal... but am really thinking this is something I don't want to do. Biggest reason being that I am not in any kind of pain. Yes, my teeth are sensitive to cold, but I am not in pain, and have no abscess. I have had all the scaling and root planning procedures done and am in the process of getting all my cavities filled and all the remaining molar roots left in my gums from broken teeth extracted. Mainly I am just trying to decide if I really need to put myself through a root canal.
How does a dentist determine a root canal is needed if there is no pain associated?
What is the threshold that must be crossed to determine more than a filling is needed, when there is no pain?
How does a dentist determine whether or not the pulp inside a tooth is infected?
How does a dentist determine if a tooth is dead or still alive?