What’s the Difference Between A Cavity Filling and A Root Canal?

You’ve got a toothache. Does this mean you need a cavity filling? Or do you need a root canal? The type of procedure you need depends on the type and severity of the problem you’re experiencing. Toothaches are often caused by dental decay, but the extent of the problem will determine how your dentist in Beaver Dam and Owensboro, KY, recommends that you solve this problem. Here’s what you need to know about each procedure.

What’s a Cavity?

A cavity is a hole in the tooth enamel caused by bacteria and sipping sugary snacks. Cavities can happen when you have poor dental hygiene practices. To treat a cavity, your dentist will eliminate the dental decay and fill the remaining hole with a tooth-colored resin.

What’s a Root Canal?

If you have an infection of the pulp inside the tooth, you need a root canal. A root canal is a procedure wherein the dentist cleans out the decayed tooth enamel, eliminates the infected pulp inside the tooth, and then fills the tooth with sealant to prevent future infections.

Once the infection has been cleaned out and the tooth has been sealed, a crown is placed over the tooth to protect the tooth enamel. Without a crown, the tooth could break.

Have a Toothache? See Your Dentist Today

A toothache is a sign of a problem that shouldn’t be ignored. You could have a cavity, or you may need a root canal in Beaver Dam and Owensboro, KY. Either way, your dentist at Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry can help you decide which treatment is right for you. Call today to make an appointment, before your toothache gets worse.