Root canal help?

ok I went to the dentist and they said I need a root canal in the tooth that I feel there's a hole in. but I don't feel any pain or anything. can't they just put in a filling? what makes it so I need a root canal from a hole in my tooth?

Root canal help?
Like others have said, if the cavity has already reached the pulp, which you cant necessarily tell from the outside but could with a radiograph, they need to remove the pulp (including the pulp in the roots because it is attached) in order to stop the infection. Then they clean out the roots so that there is no bacteria left in there and fill it. This will not cause you any more pain or trouble than a normal filling, just might take a little bit longer, but it is better for you in the long run. Bacteria left in the tooth will cause your tissues to rot and give you more infection later on.
Reply:when the decay goes deep down into your gums...Are you sure it doesnt hurt?
Reply:If the hole is very deep and is close to the roots the root canal will remove the roots so they do not become infected. Or, it i is possible that the hole has already reached the roots and they have begun dying which raises your risk of them becoming infected and causing an abcess an a lot of pain.
Reply:the only thing I can think of is if they did an xray and saw that you had an abscess or infection. I had a similar thing happen. I went for a filling and they wanted to do a root canal due to an abscess. I put it off because it did not hurt. A few weeks later the pain started and I couldn't get into the dentist for 3 weeks so I had to take 2 rounds of an antibiotic.