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Phantom Toothache

Sudden ToothacheWhen You Can’t See What’s Causing A Toothache…

It’s time for a dentist to investigate!

There’s only one good thing about a visibly damaged tooth: here, clearly, is where the toothache is coming from and where our response will be focused.

But complaints of “tooth pain” without a clear source or origin—now, that’s something else entirely.

Say you’ve been good with your hygiene and faithful in your checkups, and you suddenly experience a toothache. You can’t see a crack or cavity, but something’s just not right, so you schedule an appointment with our team.

What gives? A morning toothache might not even come from damage. Could be the aftermath of all-night grinding (bruxism). Usually treatable with a simple sleeping appliance.

Sometimes, after a new filling or crown, there’s a lingering sensitivity to hot or cold. This should disappear after a few days. If not, perhaps another look is in order.

Almost always, we can detect and correct even microscopic cracks. But (as is the case with the rest of your body), there can be “pain phantoms” that come and go for reasons unknown. If it can’t be located and identified, it can’t be treated. Thankfully, we see very, very few of those.

We may require an updated set of X-rays to look for signs of infection within your teeth. If we find an infected tooth, a root canal is the typical course of treatment to remove the infection and correct the problem.

If you’re having unexplained tooth pain, please contact us today!

About Tom Massarat, DDS, MS

Tom Massarat DDS, MS is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics. Dr. Massarat received his Certificate in Endodontics from Northwestern University in 1992. He also received his Dental Degree and Advanced General Dentistry Degree from Northwestern University in Chicago, Ill. Dr. Massarat is a member of the American Dental Association (ADA), American Association of Endodontists (AAE), San Diego County Dental Society (SDCDS) and American Board of Endodontists (ABE). He is also an advisor for the Experdent and Summit Study Groups. He has lectured extensively on many aspect of endodontics.

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