The infection at the centre of a tooth (the root canal) is caused by bacteria that live in the mouth and invade the tooth. This can happen after: tooth decay. leaky fillings.
Root canal infections are rare, but possible. Keep an eye on any early signs of an infection after you get a root canal procedure done. If you suspect your root canal has become infected, see your dentist as soon as possible to get it treated.
Retreatment. The most common option for failed root canals is retreatment. This option has the highest success rate, and involves removing the original filling and disinfecting the canal. We then reseal the area to help prevent further infection and to stop bacteria from entering.
The shape of your root canals can be complicated, making it hard to clean and disinfect fully. Your tooth may also have extra canals that may have bacteria that are reinfecting your tooth. If there was a delay in placing your crown, this also allows harmful bacteria to get back into the tooth.
What's more, if you're dealing with an infected root canal, antibiotics really are not going to cut it. In these cases, you'll need to have the bacteria removed, either by root canal treatment or tooth extraction, in order for it to heal.
To treat the infection in the root canal, the bacteria need to be removed. This can be done by either: removing the bacteria from the root canal system (root canal treatment) removing the tooth (extraction)
When we take periodic x-rays of your teeth, we can detect a root canal infection long before it shows any symptoms and becomes serious.
It can potentially take several months for a dental abscess to develop. Once an abscess has formed, noticeable pain and swelling around the affected tooth usually occur. If left untreated, it may take a few more weeks or months for the infection to spread to other tissues and cause complications.
Most patients recover after a few days or so. In some cases, patients go through complications. These patients may take one to two weeks to heal. Any pain or swelling that pain medication cannot relieve will need treatment from the dentist or a doctor.
If you have an infected tooth root or dental pulp, we can remove the infection and fix your tooth before it suffers from irreversible damage. We specialize in performing root canals, and we have the vast knowledge and experience necessary to do so.
Occasionally, an infection can persist or reemerge after you have undergone root canal therapy. When this happens, retreatment of the root canal might become necessary. If that approach is unable to completely and fully eradicate the infection, root canal surgery can resolve the issue.
Infection Can Spread
For example, if the infection is located in the root of the tooth, it can spread to other teeth and to the jawbone. This would lead to an increase of pain. The worst case of an infection spreading could occur if spread to the brain. If this occurs, it could lead to death.
Dentists or root canal specialists called “endodontists” may be liable for dental malpractice if they breach the standard of care in performing a root canal procedure.
The basics: brush and floss
Make sure that at least once a day, you give your mouth a full, spa-like treatment by brushing thoroughly, flossing carefully, and using mouthwash. As simple as these tools are, brushing and flossing are the most effective way to avoid tooth decay, inflammation, and infection.
If you have a fever and swelling in your face and you can't reach your dentist, go to an emergency room. Also go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing or swallowing. These symptoms may indicate that the infection has spread deeper into your jaw, throat or neck or even to other areas of your body.
A root canal infection brings severe pain in its wake. The pain intensifies when you bite down or place pressure on the affected tooth. Additionally, you may experience tooth sensitivity when you eat hot or cold food and drinks. The pain can also originate from inflammation of the gums.
Leaving an infection to spread to your facial bones may eventually necessitate surgical removal to stop it. Even in minor cases, a tooth infection can cause the bone structures of your jaw to weaken, making it hard to support your teeth.
Swelling
Swelling isn't a common side effect of a root canal. It probably means there is an infection brewing post-procedure. You might notice swelling on the gum line around the tooth, but severe swelling can spread to the face and neck. This is a strong sign that you need to reach out to your dentist immediately.
With proper care, even teeth that have had root canal treatment can last a lifetime. But sometimes, a tooth that has been treated doesn't heal properly and can become painful or diseased months or even years after treatment.
A dentist can repeat a root canal treatment on a tooth two or more times. While teeth that undergo a root canal procedure can last a lifetime, some of these teeth may not heal properly due to salivary contamination and other reasons.
Amoxicillin is usually the first choice for tooth infection treatment. If your tooth infection is more serious, your dentist may prescribe a combination of amoxicillin and another drug called Clavulanate.
The Danger of Untreated Infected Teeth and Gums
An infection in your body is considered a threat. If they are not treated, they can last for several months or years. There are two types of dental abscess – one can form under the tooth (periapical) and the other in the supporting gum and bone (periodontal).
The bacteria that cause root canal infections emit a foul odor. As a result, patients often experience bad breath and a bad taste in the mouth.