Question 1

can getting a root canal or cavity hurt?

Accepted Answer

Pain: No neither procedure is painful as long as your doctor uses adequate anesthesia. You should feel no  discomfort from either procedure!

Question 2

how effective is a root canal for treating a cavity?

Accepted Answer

Root Canal for?: Root Canal Therapy treats the nerve and tissues within the tooth. Although a cavity can lead to the need for RCT, the RCT treats the result of trauma, caries, etc. and not the cavity directly. The tooth still needs the decay removed and the tooth restored. RCT can also relieve the pain from an infected pulp as the result of dental caries.  Your own dentist can better explain these issues in person

Question 3

will i need to be put under for a root canal/cavity?

Accepted Answer

Not necessary: Both procedures can easily be performed with local anesthetic.

Question 4

how do i know if i have to be put under for a root canal/cavity?

Accepted Answer

Almost never: Root canal/cavity is not complicated enough that conscious sedation and/ or sedation is required.  Local anesthesia is preferred and a logical choice of anesthetics.  Stress reduction protocol such as IV is only recommended for more surgical procedure.

Question 5

is 18 cavities and a needed root canal bad for me if i'm only 19?

Accepted Answer

Yes: If you really need that amount of treatment at 19, you've ignored you dental health for a long time. You need to eat healthy foods, avoid sugary drinks and snacks, brush and floss, and visit your dentist regularly. These are the last teeth you will have that are not artificial... Try to take care of them.

Question 6

advice? would my cavity need a root canal if i wait 3 weeks for an appointment?

Accepted Answer

Talk to your dentist: It all depends how close the cavity is to the pulp (nerve) of the tooth. This is a question you should ask your dentist who diagnosed the need for the restoration.

Question 7

i just got 2 cavitys filled today and i think i need a root canal. is this right?

Accepted Answer

Depends: If you are referring to the sensitivity then give it a few days for the tooth to calm down.  If the filling is really deep and it is too close to the pulp (nerve) then you may need root canal.  Let your dentist determine that.

Question 8

just found out i have my very first cavities and i need a root canal! why is that?

Accepted Answer

Not painful: Cavities are usually asymptomatic unless provoked by high sugar intake.  Once the cavity gets to the dentin, the layer between the enamel and the pulp (nerve of the tooth), the cavity can grow very large and deep very quickly and invade the pulp, and kill it , requiring either a root canal or an extraction.

Question 9

does every single cavity left untreated end up needing a root canal eventually?or only sometimes? how does that work?

Accepted Answer

Yes: The speed at which it happens, and the degree of pain throughout the process varies greatly. Can be soon or take years.

Question 10

how can you tell the difference between a cavity and root canal on an x-ray?

Accepted Answer

Color: A cavity appears as a dark area on the crown of the tooth, whereas a root canal appears as a white line in the root of the tooth.

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Doctor answers about:

Cavity vs root canal pain

A member asked:

Can getting a root canal or cavity hurt?

A member asked:

How effective is a root canal for treating a cavity?

A member asked:

Will i need to be put under for a root canal/cavity?

A member asked:

How do i know if i have to be put under for a root canal/cavity?

A member asked:

Is 18 cavities and a needed root canal bad for me if i'm only 19?

A member asked:

Advice? would my cavity need a root canal if i wait 3 weeks for an appointment?

A member asked:

I just got 2 cavitys filled today and i think i need a root canal. is this right?

A member asked:

Just found out i have my very first cavities and i need a root canal! why is that?

A member asked:

Does every single cavity left untreated end up needing a root canal eventually?or only sometimes? how does that work?

A member asked:

How can you tell the difference between a cavity and root canal on an x-ray?

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