How long does it take for cavities to turn into root canals?

Question

I've had a few cavities for over a year & it's just starting to hurt. Does that mean it's turning into a root canal?

Answer 1

if you have hot and cold sensitivity, and it is starting to hurt...than i am sooo sorry ..i think you might need a root canal. ive had 3, on sweet air and lots of novicaine:) a dentist yelled at me for not having it filled months ago...he told me if you wouldnt have waiting..blah blah...well that was before i became a dental assistant..i wanted to know more what i was doing wrong...anyways fast foward 10 year...so i have experience with root canals as much as treating people who have them, and yes cavities do turn into root canals..the decay gets deeper and deeper till it gets close to the nerve, or hits it causing the nerves to die..to rebut someone else's answer, learned that from my dentist as well as schooling on the subject:)...feel better

Answer 2

a "root canal" is a proceedure, not a condition. If the cavity is deep enough, then a "root canal" may be necesary to save the tooth. In a root canal, the dentist will numb your jaw, drill into the "channel" that contains the nerve to the tooth. Then using small tools he will pull the root out of the tooth and then seal off the tooth either with a filling or a crown. Pain is an indicator that you need dental work. Don't wait, it doesn't fix itself. Get it fixed soon enough and it is a minor fix. Wait too long, and you can really cost yourself some pain and big $$$$

Answer 3

If your tooth is hurting like that thhen more than likely it could have gotten down to the root and yes that means root canal and most likely a crown put on. You shouldn't let cavities go. You are best to get it filled right away or else it gets costly to fix your teeth. Or worse yet wait until it turns into a absess and then you will begging the dentist to help you.

Answer 4

A cavity does not "turn into" a root canal. Root canal is a procedure that is performed when the whole tooth is bad, or the root has died, and the tooth cannot be saved. Just because you have pain does not mean you will need a root canal. But get to a dentist as soon as possible, while simply filling the cavity is still feasible. Why have you waited so long to have it attended to?

Answer 5

A cavity doesn't turn into a root canal. A root canal is the act of deadening the root of a tooth in a replacement/repair process.

Answer 6

Yes

Answer 7

A root canal is a procedure used when the nerve of your tooth dies. Generally, the tooth has to be drilled deeply into, the nerve removed, and a cap placed over the stub that used to be your tooth.