Replacement filling or root canal?

[midnightrambler]

Hi there,

I will go into the dentist tomorrow to have a replacement filling. But the filling itself is very old and deep in the tooth and is actually coming out of the side of the tooth.

I am thinking the dentist will dig out the old filling and check the damage? If the damage is so large, will they do a root canal right then and there? Or do they give me the replacement filling/inlay and hope for the best that the tooth will not need a root canal?

Also, I have no pain with this tooth, but I did have a lot of pain with another tooth that needed an emergency root canal after the metal inlay didn't work. I was wondering if the amount of pain you feel in the root canal procedure is directly correspondent to the pain you feel going into it? I ask this because I posted my story of the previous root canal in the support forum where I felt everything because the anesthetic didn't work due to the nerve being inflamed. I don't want to have that again!

I guess I should go in there tomorrow with an open mind as to what may happen?

 

[Gordon]

Usually if I remove the old filling plus decay and there's some dead or dying nerve showing then I'll go straight on and start the root canal.
I don't think there should be any pain to speak of with any dental treatment at any time, so I guess I'm not qualified to answer your second question