Table of Contents
When do you need a root canal versus a filling?
While a filling is perfect to take care of minor cavities and tooth damage, a root canal is used when the infection has reached the pulp. The pulp, which contains blood vessels and nerves, is extracted when you acquire a root canal near you, the tooth is filled and a crown is often put in place afterwards.
How does a dentist know if you need a root canal?
The swollen gums will be tender and a bit painful to the touch and will remain swollen. The darkening of the gums is a sign that the gums are decayed. If there is an infection and the tooth is dying, the gums will begin to decay. This is a telltale sign that you may need a root canal.
Can a filling turn into a root canal?
If your tooth has decay to the enamel or dentin, a simple filling is enough to repair the cavity. However, if the cavity is left untreated, the decay will reach the deepest layer of the tooth, the nerve tissue. At this point, a root canal is necessary to repair the tooth.
How do u know if u need a filling?
How to tell if you need a filling
- Tooth sensitivity.
- Flossing string tears.
- Damage to a previous filling.
- A chipped or fractured tooth.
- Food stuck between teeth.
- Dark spots.
- Throbbing or sharp pain.
Can you wait 2 months to get a cavity filled?
Some people have softer tooth enamel than others, which makes it easier for bacteria or acid to penetrate the tooth. As a broad timeline, on average, it can take anywhere from six months to four or five years before a cavity needs treatment.
What happens if you don’t get a filling when you need one?
What happens if you don’t get a filling? When decay damages a tooth, the destruction to the enamel is irreversible. If the cavity is left untreated, the decay can spread and worsen, destroying healthy parts of the tooth.
How long does it take before you need a root canal?
It will stand there unless a very strong wind will blow it down due to its force. A tooth without a nerve is just like that dry tree. Research shows that the most optimal time to get a crown after a root canal therapy is within 1-2 weeks.
What to expect during and after your root canal?
During the procedure, you shouldn’t feel any pain. After your root canal is done, you may experience some sensitivity in your tooth. This may be caused by inflammation in your gums, the now-healing infection, or any previous pain you had. An over-the-counter pain medicine will likely be all you need, but talk to your dentist first.
Should a root canal hurt more than a filling?
See here for more on root canal symptoms. Of course, a tooth may be causing no symptoms and still require RCT. Pain when on the dental chair. Does root canal hurt? The short answer is no, as you have read above. It should not hurt more than a filling, but does take longer.
Why is my tooth sensitive after my filling?
Sometimes teeth stay sensitive after getting a new filling. This happen often after treating teeth with deep cavities. A previously infected tooth pulp many not recover with treatment. Another common reason is a high bite on the new filling. Consult with your dentist about the sensitivity. Good luck.