What's the difference between a root canal and a filling?

Depth into tooth: A filling denotes a procedure where decayed tooth structure is removed and the space is then filled with a composite or amalgam . As long as the damage does not extend past- both the outer enamel and inner dentin- you are fine. Once the pulp tissue has been damged, it (nerve tissue) needs to be removed. Hence , the need for a root canal filling, as opposed to merely a tooth filling.

Totally different: During root canal treatment the pulp is removed from the tooth (the canals are then enlarged, sterilized and filled). This results in the tooth being "non-vital"; having no sensory input or blood supply. A filling is something placed in a tooth to replace lost or decayed tooth structure. It can be placed in a vital or non-vital tooth. It can be silver, gold or tooth colored.

Root canal v filling: A root canal treats infection inside the root the tooth, wheras a filling fills a cavity in the part of topart of the tooth.