### How to Know If You Need a Root Canal or Filling
Tooth pain or sensitivity can leave you wondering whether you need a filling or a root canal. Both address dental decay or damage but differ in severity and treatment. Here's a quick guide to help you identify the need:
#### **When You Might Need a Filling**
1. **Mild Sensitivity**: Brief discomfort with hot, cold, or sweet foods that goes away.
2. **Visible Cavities**: Small pits or dark spots on the tooth's surface.
3. **Chipping or Wear**: Minor damage to the enamel.
4. **No Lingering Pain**: Pain that subsides once the stimulus is removed.
#### **When You Might Need a Root Canal**
1. **Severe, Prolonged Pain**: Persistent pain that worsens when chewing or biting.
2. **Lingering Sensitivity**: Heat or cold sensitivity lasting long after exposure.
3. **Swelling or Infection**: Swollen gums, abscesses, or pus near the affected tooth.
4. **Tooth Discoloration**: A darkened tooth caused by nerve damage.
5. **Recurring Problems**: Old fillings that fail or decay reaching the tooth pulp.
#### **Why Early Diagnosis Matters**
Fillings are effective for minor cavities, while root canals are necessary when the tooth's pulp is infected. Dentists use X-rays and detailed exams to recommend the right solution.
At Radha Krishna Dental Care in Rajahmundry, we specialize in painless root canals and effective fillings. Don't ignore your discomfor
