Your dentist tells you you need a root canal and a crown, but you start wondering why you need a cavity filling and crown simultaneously because cavity filling and root canal treatment are the same for you.
Many people confuse root canal treatment and cavity filling because, in most cases, the cavity is filled instead of a crown after a root canal.
If you also don’t know the difference between the two treatments but are curious to know, then for you, here we take a look at Cavity Filling vs. Root Canal.
Our Guide: Full Mouth Dental Implants Cost
Cavity Filling vs. Root Canal
Cavity filling and root canals are completely different things and have different procedures. If you are confused between these two different medical procedures, where will you discuss their main differences so you can better differentiate them?
Cavity Filling Procedure
The main difference between the two treatments is their procedures are completely different. For a cavity-filling procedure, the dentist will perform the following steps.
- In the first step, the dentist will numb the area around the affected tooth. It is usually done with the help of a topical anesthetic or a local anesthetic in the gums or the cheek. A very thin needle is used for the administration of numbing agents. There are different techniques for inserting the needle depending on the location of the teeth, but the process only takes one minute and is painless.
- The dentist will wait for about 10 to 15 minutes before starting the procedure
- After that, the dentist will use a hand motor or a laser to remove the damaged areas of the tooth and shape the teeth for cavity filling
- After cavity preparation, a gel will be used to clean the area
- In the next step, your dentist will use the filling material to fill the tooth. Depending upon your budget, the filling material can be composite amalgam or GIC
- After cavity filling, different adhesives and composites will be placed on the top of the filling to protect and seal it
- If composite is used as a Restoration, the then visible blue light will be used several times to harden the material
- In the final step, the dentist will polish the area
Root Canal Procedure
Cavity filling is used when the enamel of the teeth is damaged, while root canal procedures are performed when the pulp is damaged. There are two options for preventing infection. One is root canal treatment, while the other is removing the teeth, which is not preferred if the teeth are in good health.
A root canal treatment is performed in the following way.
- Just like a cavity-filling procedure before a root canal treatment, you’re also given local anesthesia
- This also indicates that this procedure is also painless, just like cavity filling
- After that, by using different tools, bacteria and damaged pulp tissue is removed
- Then the open hole is filled with the help of a filling or a crown
In most cases, the surrounding tissue of the tooth heals naturally. Root canal treatment has a very high success rate; about 9 out of 10 cases are successful and survive for up to 10 years.
Now you know the main difference between the procedure of both treatments.
Why You Need A Cavity Filling?
The second main difference between root canal treatment and cavity filling is the diseases they are needed for, so here we will first see the conditions in which a cavity filling is required.
- The main condition in which a cavity filling is needed is when your teeth are decaying or developing a cavity. If a small hole is left untreated, it will develop into large cavities, resulting in serious problems such as infection. A cavity filling will prevent any pain and will save your teeth. The material used for cavity filling varies, but mostly aesthetic materials such as composite and GIC are used nowadays.
- Another ailment in which you may need a cavity filling is when your teeth are cracked. Cracks are more common than you can think. Sometimes people don’t even know that they have cracked teeth until they visit a dentist after suffering from dentin hypersensitivity. Mostly a crack is because of an injury, but sometimes it can also be because of biting something hard. Sometimes, it is visible to the human eye. Otherwise, only the dentist can detect it.
- Another reason for cavity filling is chipped teeth. It is easy to identify, and you will easily notice it while eating or after an injury. In most cases, it is really easy to tell that your teeth are chipped; while sometimes it can be difficult, it is always recommended to visit the dentist if you doubt that your teeth are chipped. Cases of chip teeth are mostly because of sudden blows to the face or falling and hitting your mouth, while in other cases, it can also be because of teeth grinding. If you have chip teeth, immediately visit your dentist, so your dentist can rebuild your teeth with the help of a filling.
- Cavity fillings or dental fillings are not permanent. They last for 10 to 15 years. After that, they need to be replaced, which is another reason you may need a cavity filling.
If you want to know more about the condition in which you need a cavity filling and the cost of filling, then look at How Much Do Cavities Cost? – A Detailed Guide On Cavities
Why Is Root Canal Treatment Needed?
There are several conditions in which you need a cavity filling, while there are only a few cases where a root canal treatment is necessary. To determine if a root canal treatment is needed or not, your dentist will first take dental X-rays to reveal the condition of the pulp.
If bacterial infection damages the pulp, then it will show signs of inflammation; the bacteria will also multiply rapidly and spread in the jaw
some of the symptoms of pulp infection may include
- Pain on eating or drinking anything
- Pain when biting a chewing something
- Slightly loose teeth
If you ignore these symptoms, then with time, the pain will disappear as the pulp will be dead because of bacterial attacks you will feel that your teeth have healed.
But in reality, the bacteria have spread through the root canal system, and with time, you will experience symptoms such as pus and severe toothache.
It is always better to immediately visit your dentist if you’re observing any pain in your teeth because it may result in tooth death.
Also See: How Much Do Braces Cost?
FAQs
Which treatment is more expensive?
Cavity filling is much more expensive than compared to a root canal.
Do you always need a filling after a root canal?
No, it is not necessary that you always have to go for a cavity filling after a root canal. Other restorative materials, such as Crowns, can also be used depending on your oral condition.
Conclusion
Many people are confused between the root canal treatment and cavity feeling, so I have discussed the topic of Cavity Filling vs. Root Canal for such people.
I have covered all the main differences, but still, there are many other small differences between these two treatments, which are unnecessary and don’t affect the treatment choice. Hence, these two main differences in their procedure and the conditions they treat are more than enough for differentiating these treatments.
