If fillings are supposed to fix cavities, why would you need a root canal? This is a very valid question and one that deserves a comprehensive answer. The reality is that there could be a multitude of reasons for this, from wear and tear to the deepening of the cavity after the procedure.
In this article, we will discuss why your endodontist may recommend root canal treatment, what the procedure entails, and how best to care for your teeth after a filling and a root canal. Additionally, we will assist you in selecting a clinic that specialises in root canal treatment in Singapore to ensure your dental health is secure.
The Difference Between a Filling and a Root Canal
It’s important to understand that fillings and root canals address different levels of dental problems.
- Root Canal – Root canal treatments are an effective way of preserving your natural tooth rather than tooth extraction. It involves cleaning the infected pulp from the tooth and resealing it with a crown.
- Filling – A surgical procedure that involves inserting a material into the damaged tooth to restore its original shape and prevent decay. Having a filling is advantageous as it is cheap and protects your teeth from further damage. However, the material inserted is prone to deterioration. This can result in further infections and poor aesthetics.
Reasons You Need A Root Canal Treatment After A Filling
A filling can stop decay from spreading, but sometimes the damage has already gone deeper than expected. In such cases, a root canal treatment becomes necessary to remove infection and protect the tooth. Here are some common reasons:
- Deep or Old Fillings – The bigger or the deeper the filling is, the higher the risk of affecting the dental pulp and needing a root canal
- Damage from Metal Fillings – All fillings are prone to recurrent decay. See your dentist regularly and take X-rays to check for incipient caries
- Wear and Tear Over Time – Teeth, like any part of the body, undergo natural wear. If a tooth has been filled more than once, or if it bears heavy chewing forces (especially molars), the nerve may eventually become overstressed. Repeated treatments combined with pressure can push the tooth past its limit, leading to the need for a root canal SG procedure.
- Teeth Grinding or Clenching – Grinding your teeth increases pressure on them thousands of times a day. This can accelerate nerve damage, particularly in teeth that already have large fillings. Uneven bites or clenching habits often worsen the issue, and in some cases, orthodontic care or crowns may be needed to restore balance.
- Recurrent Decay or Bonding Failure – Fillings are not permanent. They can shrink, loosen, or develop bonding failure, causing gaps that allow new decay to spread beneath them. If bacteria reach the pulp, only a root canal procedure can save the tooth.
- Cracks in the Tooth – Even when a filling is intact, cracks may run deeper into the tooth. Once bacteria travel through these fractures, infection can set in quickly, requiring root canal surgery to save the tooth.
If you experience any of these issues, we recommend consulting a dedicated endodontist in Singapore like Dr Seah, who provides comprehensive root canal treatment tailored to your dental condition and other requirements.
Tailored Treatment Solutions at Dr Seah Root Canal + Implant Surgical Clinic
Not every filling leads to a root canal, but in cases where infection has spread deeper into the tooth, a root canal treatment becomes the best way to save it. Ignoring the signs can worsen the infection and even lead to tooth loss.
At Dr Seah Root Canal + Implant Surgical Clinic, we provide specialised root canal care in Singapore, ensuring patients receive treatment that addresses both comfort and long-term oral health. Whether you need a simple filling review, cracked teeth treatment, root canal procedure, or root canal surgery, our clinic is here to help preserve your natural teeth.
If you’re experiencing discomfort after a filling, don’t wait — schedule a consultation with Dr Seah Root Canal + Implant Surgical Clinic today and take the first step toward lasting dental health.