How does a root canal differ from a filling?

Nerve involved: A filling in a tooth does just that...It replaces the part of the tooth lost by decay or that the dentist removed. Hopeful, there is no nerve involvement. Root canal is the removal of the nerve from the tooth because it is diseased or the space is needed to restore a tooth to usefulness. Also...Root canals are a lot more expensive.

The root is treated: With a filling, only the top part or crown of the tooth is treated. With a root canal, the dentist is removing and filling the canal spaces within the roots of the teeth and does not involve a filling in the crown of the tooth.

Different procedures: Root canal treatment is the removal of nerves and blood supply from the tooth usually when the tooth becomes infected or there is pain associated with the tooth. A filling (tooth colored or silver) is used to restore the tooth to its original structure after the tooth has been damaged due to decay or fracture. Sometimes the filling is too large and a crownis needed to give the tooth more strength.