Root Canals Vs. Cavity Fillings

Our patients often ask us why this infected tooth differs from the last one, which only required a tooth-colored filling. Well, fillings are a great option for cavities that don’t infect or inflame the root of your tooth. In those cases, we can remove decayed areas, clean the tooth, and fill the infected area. When your cavity grows deeper over time, the infection reaches the root of your tooth. Requiring a bigger fix, we have to go to the root of the problem, literally.

Signs That You Need a Root Canal

Depending on how much tooth decay you experience, you may need a cavity filled or a root canal procedure. When you see your general dentist, he or she will assess the damage to your tooth and recommend the best treatment method. These warning signs generally mean you have tooth decay and should see your dentist immediately.

  • Severe pain while chewing or biting
  • Chipped or cracked teeth from trauma or genetics
  • Swollen, tender, or dark gums
  • Persistent extreme sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
  • Dimples or holes in gums from decay

The Root Canal Procedure

Though root canals are historically painfully cruel treatments, modern technology makes root canals quick, easy, and painless. There’s no need to worry if we recommend a root canal—it just means that your mouth will start feeling better, and soon.

You receive tooth-colored cavity fillings when your dentist catches your infected tooth at an early stage. That means that the white enamel on the surface and the hard dentin layer has recently eroded. If the infection worsens, which naturally happens over time, it spreads to the roots of your tooth.

The roots, or canals, of your tooth, contains pulp at its base. The pulp contains sensitive material that helps your teeth stay attached to your gums. This sensitive material includes blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue. During a root canal procedure, your dentist removes the decaying enamel, dentin, and infected pulp. Then, your dentist cleans, fills, and seals the roots of your teeth. After the root canal, your general dentist will place a custom tooth-colored crown on top of the sealed root.

Modern root canal treatments are painless and simple. In one to two visits to your dentist, we will remove the infected pulp, mitigating your pain, and getting your smile back to normal.

What Happens After You Remove the Pulp?

Your teeth, after growing and stabilizing, don’t actually need pulp anymore. In other words, your teeth will stay strong and healthy without internal material. During a root canal procedure, we remove the pulp so the nerve endings stop causing you pain. This will remove any discomfort you experience without causing other problems.

Root Canal Recovery

We place our patients under general anesthesia for root canal procedures so you don’t feel any pain during the treatment. Like a wisdom tooth extraction, however, you may feel some soreness or discomfort in the following days. Though we’d be happy to get you a day off, most patients find the treatment so easy that they return to work or school the same day. If your pain does exceed a week, please come back to our office so we can make your smile feel as good as new.

Your Root Canal Specialist in Marietta

Though root canals are a fairly serious procedure, your root canal specialist in Marietta, Georgia, knows how to make it easy. When you visit Dr. Sprouse, you visit a dental team that cares about your health and happiness. To talk to us about tooth sensitivity or pain, schedule an appointment by giving us a call at (770) 973-1380.