I had a severe toothache for three days, so I scheduled an appointment with my dentist. She used my X-rays from June to diagnose the problem. She said the tooth looked fine, but she would prescribe antibiotics in case the tooth is infected. If the toothache decreases after I finish the antibiotics, I don’t need to return to the office. What could be wrong with the tooth if the X-ray doesn’t show a problem? Thanks. Ravi from Cleveland, OH
Ravi,
You had X-rays four months ago, but pain developed afterward, which means the situation has changed. The earlier images likely showed only the tooth crowns. What you need now is a periapical x-ray that includes the root tips. That image will show if an infection has reached the pulp.
What Tests Help Find the Cause of a Toothache?
Root canal process
If your dentist focused only on the filling, she overlooked other possibilities. Diagnosing tooth pain involves several critical but straightforward checks:
- Does tapping the tooth increase pain?
- How does cold or heat affect it?
- Does cold relieve discomfort?
- Was an electric pulp test done to see if the nerve is alive?
Skipping these steps can lead to incomplete or incorrect treatment.
Will Antibiotics Get Rid of a Toothache?
Prescribing antibiotics and suggesting no follow-up if the toothache eases is a faulty approach. If antibiotics reduce your pain, they’ve only calmed the infection in the surrounding bone—not inside the tooth. Without root canal treatment and a dental crown, the infection will return once you stop taking them, and the bacteria may become resistant to the same drug.
If this reflects your experience, you need a dentist who listens carefully, investigates thoroughly, and provides the proper treatment to resolve your toothache—not just mask it.
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