A toothache is primarily a result of a dental condition and usually refers to pain around the teeth or jaws. Toothaches can be caused by a number of factors, such as a cavity, a cracked tooth, an exposed root, or gum disease.
Sometimes, the jaw joint can cause pain that is referred to as a toothache. The severity of this pain can range from mild to excruciating. A thorough oral exam can help determine whether the toothache is coming from a tooth or jaw joint.
We routinely use 3D CBCT scans to help diagnose infection and painful teeth, as well as imaging for placing implants. A traditional x-ray is great, but sometimes the 2D image limits what we can see, whereas the 3D image can assist in complex diagnosis and allow us to see teeth and jaw joints more clearly.
