Only a dentist can tell you if you indeed require root canal therapy based on your symptoms and x-rays. Your Dentist needs to find out why your tooth is painful before a root canal is done. ... A radiograph of the tooth and the bone surrounding the tooth will be taken to see if there is an infection.

With today's use of digital radiography, it's not uncommon that the dental patient will get to see the x-rays that have been taken of their tooth, right there on their dentist's chairside monitor.

Can X ray detect root canal?
There are instances where there are no symptoms but your dentist sees infection on the x-ray. Only a dentist can tell you if you indeed require root canal therapy based on your symptoms and x-rays. ... A radiograph of the tooth and the bone surrounding the tooth will be taken to see if there is an infection.

Do you need an X ray for root canal?
Root canal treatment is only required when dental X-rays show that the pulp has been damaged by a bacterial infection.