My Toothache Stopped Hurting. Do I Still Need a Root Canal?

When a toothache suddenly goes away, it might seem like a relief. Sometimes, though, pain fades because the nerve inside your tooth has died, and the tooth could still need care.

At Les Belles NYC Dentistry, we’ll take a close look at your tooth and let you know if you need root canal treatment, a different type of care, or if everything looks healthy.

Why Can Tooth Pain Go Away Before the Problem Does?

The soft tissue inside your tooth is called the pulp. Deep decay, a crack, or an injury can damage it. If the damage goes far enough and the pulp dies, you might stop feeling the hot-and-cold sensitivity you noticed earlier.

Cleveland Clinic calls this stage pulp necrosis. Once the nerve tissue dies, your symptoms can change or even go away. Pain alone can’t show you if your tooth has healed.

What Signs Still Deserve a Dental Evaluation?

Even if your tooth pain went away, keep an eye out for other changes around the tooth. Let us know if you’ve noticed any of these:

• Pain when biting or chewing
• Swelling or tenderness around the gums
• A small bump or “pimple” on the gum
• Darkening or discoloration of the tooth
• A bad taste or drainage near the tooth

The American Association of Endodontists notes that an abscessed or infected tooth may or may not be painful. If you also develop facial swelling, fever, or trouble swallowing or breathing, seek urgent medical care.

How Do We Check Whether You Need a Root Canal?

Your dental evaluation might include X-rays and tests to see how your tooth responds to temperature, pressure, or other stimulation. These results help us see if the pulp is healthy, inflamed, or no longer alive.

If the pulp is too inflamed or infected to heal, root canal therapy can help save your natural tooth. We’ll remove the damaged pulp, clean and seal the inside, and restore the tooth as needed.

Our founder, Dr. Sharon Huang, provides general dentistry and root canal therapy at Les Belles.
If you’ve put off care because of fear, let us know. Les Belles offers dental anxiety management to help make your visit feel easier.

FAQ

If my tooth stopped hurting, does that mean the infection is gone?

No. Pain can decrease when the pulp dies, so an exam is the only way to know what’s happening inside the tooth.

Does every toothache need a root canal?

No. Tooth pain can have several causes, and some problems can be treated without root canal therapy.

Can a root canal save an infected tooth?

It can, as long as the tooth is still restorable. Your exam will show whether root canal treatment is appropriate or another option makes more sense.

Schedule a Root Canal Evaluation on the Upper East Side

If your tooth hurt for days and then suddenly went quiet, don’t assume everything’s fine just because the pain stopped. Reach out to Les Belles NYC Dentistry so we can check your tooth and talk through what it needs.

Medically reviewed by Sharon Liana Huang, D.D.S. on October 21, 2026