Root Canal vs Filling: What Happens If You Refuse?
Thinking about skipping a root canal for a simple filling? Here’s the fact: you can refuse a root canal and get a filling only when the cavity hasn’t reached the tooth pulp. Once decay or infection gets into the pulp, a root canal is the standard way to save the tooth—otherwise, the infection can remain and spread.
Can I Refuse a Root Canal and Get a Filling?
- The short answer to “Can I refuse a root canal and get a filling?”: It’s possible, but mostly only for small cavities that haven’t hit the nerve.
- If the tooth is infected, covering it with a filling alone traps bacteria and doesn’t fix the root of the problem.
- Most dentists warn that refusal usually means ongoing pain, risk of swelling, or that you’ll eventually need an extraction.
Many patients who’ve tried to avoid a root canal ended up with severe tooth pain or lost the tooth entirely. Studies show up to 70% of rejected root canal treatments are due to fear or cost—yet nearly all these cases required further emergency intervention for infection or tooth loss later.
Know Your Options—And the Risks
A dentist may do a temporary filling in special cases, but it’s not a long-term fix. The safest way to save an infected tooth is still a root canal. Fillings work well on shallow cavities, not deep infections.
Conclusion: Don’t Compromise Your Teeth
Worried about your options? Call Schwimmer Dental today. You deserve a solution built around your health, comfort, and peace of mind—let’s talk before pain forces the issue.
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