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! :)

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.

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)

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....

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

Thank you for info ladies.