What Happens if I Delay a Recommended Filling or Root Canal?

Fillings and root canal therapy are two common dental restorations that can address tooth decay and prevent further damage. 

So if one of our experienced dentists at the Smile Design Studio of Bethesda recommends a filling or root canal, take action sooner rather than later. Delaying these treatments could lead to more serious dental problems. 

Here’s what happens if you delay recommended fillings and root canals, courtesy of our team in Bethesda and Gaithersburg, Maryland.

The dangers of delaying a filling

When we find a cavity in one of your teeth during an exam, we may suggest a filling to repair the damage and prevent further decay. 

We begin by removing all of the decayed tooth matter and then fill the hole with material such as composite resin or amalgam — hence, the name “filling.” No matter what filling material we use, the decay can’t spread once your filling is in and cured. 

When you delay getting a filling, the cavity continues to grow. As the decay spreads, it can weaken your tooth structure, create more pain, and increase the chance that your tooth breaks. 

And if you wait too long and the decay spreads too much, you may reach the point where a filling will no longer be sufficient to address the decay. At that point, you may need a root canal, or in the worst-case scenario, an extraction.

The dangers of delaying a root canal

We usually recommend a root canal when the inner pulp of your tooth is infected or damaged. In this procedure, we remove the infected tissue, relieving pain, and preventing the infection from spreading. 

You likely will need a dental crown after a root canal to protect your tooth.

If you delay a root canal, the infection can worsen and spread to other parts of your mouth, jaw, and even your bloodstream.

Delaying a root canal can also cause more pain, and in some cases, the infection can lead to an abscess — a painful, pus-filled pocket that forms near the root of the tooth. An abscess can cause swelling, fever, and severe pain, all of which might require emergency treatment. 

In the worst cases, delaying a root canal could result in the need to extract the tooth.

The impact on your mental health

Delaying either a filling or a root canal can lead to unnecessary pain and discomfort, which can disrupt your daily life and affect nearly every aspect of your life. Chronic pain can sabotage your sleep, dampen your mood, and affect your ability to focus at work.

There’s nothing quite as miserable as a raging toothache. 

The cost of delaying treatment

Delaying any necessary dental treatment, whether that’s a filling or a root canal, can compromise your oral health and your overall physical health (especially if the infection spreads.) 

But there’s a financial cost of delaying treatment. If you postpone a filling, for example, you may need several additional (and more complex) treatments to address issues later on. 

If you delay treatment to the point of needing an extraction, you’ll then need to factor in several procedures, including an extraction and either a bridge or an implant to replace the missing tooth.

What you gain from timely treatments

No one relishes the idea of having a filling or a root canal, but there are several benefits of accepting treatment and scheduling it in a timely manner. Timely treatments:

• Help you find relief from the source of your symptoms
• Give you peace of mind knowing that you’re taking care of all dental issues
• Restore the form and function of your mouth
• Help you avoid additional treatments later
• Give you control of when you schedule your procedures rather than waiting until an inconvenient emergency arises

About 36% of American adults have a fear of dental procedures, and if you’re one of those, don’t let fear keep you from the dental care you need. 

If you have concerns about your upcoming dental procedures, talk to us. We can explain the benefits of your recommended treatment and help you overcome your barriers to care.

To schedule your filling or root canal, click here. You can also call the location of your choice to get started.