How could you tell if you needed a filling or a root canal?

[b1uebells]

Anyone know what the different symptoms might be for needed a filling / root canal?

Much appreciated! :)

[worzelswife]

I think only an x-ray could tell really. I need a root canal done and am going in next week. You can see a hole and it aches. I guess if the hole goes down to the root it will be a lot more painful, but only an x-ray will give you a definitive answer.

[HerRoyalNotness]

My dentist said if it's a throbbing pain, like a heartbeat. It doesn't go away and is very painful. Also sometimes they will do a filling and you get the pain after, again my dentist said he couldn't tell beforehand which was needed (and he does xrays also)

[Naoko]

I've had two root canals, and in both cases the searing screeching godawful pain was a decent clue more was up than a simple cavity. The first time, I went to bed on Friday night with what I thought was the start of a migraine, and woke up weeping and disoriented on Saturday morning. Strangest sensation - I was in so much pain I was sobbing, but so sleepy I couldn't tell why I was crying.

The throbbing is a good clue too. Tap your teeth with a fingernail - if that hurts, something is up. If they need to peel you off the ceiling afterward because you jumped that high with the pain, you probably need a root canal. That's how I knew the second time, anyway :o

The root canal itself is fine though. Once the anaesthetic goes in the tooth stops hurting, and if you're anything like me that's the best thing imaginable at that point....

[MaryAnnSingleton]

I had a throbbing pain in my cheek bone for ages,which I mistakenly thought was sinus pain-it turned out that I need a root canal

[b1uebells]

Thank you for info ladies.