If a root canal is delayed for too long, the bacterial infection can spread to other areas of the mouth, putting the patient at risk for serious dental problems and other medical conditions. The infection can cause something called a dental abscess, which is a pus filled sac that requires immediate medical attention.
It can take weeks, months or even years for a failed root canal to surface. You may recognize the symptoms of infection, such as tooth discoloration, pimples on the gum or swelling because you already went through root canal treatment once. If you do not seek treatment again, the infection may spread to other teeth.
If one of these canals is missed and not treated, an infection will ultimately develop and can potentially form a painful abscess. Obstruction: An obstruction (such as another tooth, filling material, etc.) may make it impossible for the dentist to reach and thoroughly clean the entirety of the canal affected.
An untreated failed root canal is a severe infection. It can form a painful and dangerous abscess, and in some cases, even lead to a septic infection. When it comes to infected pulp tissue, if you choose not to have endodontic retreatment or surgery, your only option is to extract the infected tooth.
Retreatment may be more affordable and less time-consuming. It also gives a patient a second chance to save the tooth. If you think that a tooth needs retreatment, schedule an appointment with your dentist for evaluation.
In most cases, root canal therapy is a better way to treat an infected tooth than an extraction. However, there are exceptions, such as if the tooth has suffered extreme damage. Your dentist will carefully analyze your oral health before making a treatment recommendation.
Root canal retreatment is virtually painless. Plus, the recovery is much more comfortable than a tooth extraction. Once treatment is complete, you can enjoy a pain-free smile. Lasting Results—root canal retreatment restores the integrity of your tooth and can prevent an extraction.
When you have tooth pain such as a tooth infection, antibiotics can go a long way in helping to address the infection, but unfortunately, antibiotics cannot completely heal an infected tooth. What's more, if you're dealing with an infected root canal, antibiotics really are not going to cut it.
Retreatment, extraction along with a Dental Implant, and apicoectomy are all choices available to your endodontist. Retreatment, the most common treatment option for failed root canals, offers the best success rate. Your endodontist will treat the infection before filling and sealing the tooth to protect its integrity.
If you believe that your root canal failed because of your dentist's negligent care, and as a result of this you have suffered pain, further injuries including perhaps the loss of the tooth or severe distress, you may be able to make a claim for compensation for the failed root canal.
During any root canal, body tissues not directly being treated have a chance to become agitated and mildly inflamed. In the case of throbbing pain after a root canal, the culprit is the bone surrounding the tooth. The bone tissue becomes irritated and provokes some discomfort. For most patients, this is very mild.
Possible Symptoms of a Reinfected Root Canal or Other Issues
Increased sensitivity to temperature, lingering pain after eating either hot or cold food. Constant pressure or pain. Pain when tapping teeth together, Swollen gums.
As mentioned above, only about five percent of root canals fail, and sometimes it is not actually a “failure.” In cases, of teeth that have more than one root, it is possible that only one root was infected and filled.
Some root canals require a secondary root canal treatment. However, when a root canal fails, a re-treatment is not always recommended. Tooth extraction is normally the treatment followed as it removes the infected tooth. Extraction keeps the jawbone from being infected by the ailing tooth.
Tenderness or pain in the tooth when applying pressure, even after recovering from treatment. Swelling after recovery or pimple-like structures developing and leaking pus in the area. Temperature sensitivity, such as a quick, sharp pain after taking a sip of hot coffee or cold soda.
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.
According to the American Association of Endodontists, after repeat root canal treatment, a specialist will use a tool to magnify and illuminate your tooth to ensure infected tissue is removed. Schedule an appointment with your dentist for an examination and x-ray to determine why your root canal tooth hurts.
Pain. It is normal to have some discomfort for a few days after your root canal. If you have severe pain that lingers, though, or if your tooth feels better and then starts hurting again, you may be experiencing a root canal failure.
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.
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.
If you wait a long time to undergo a root canal, bacteria will attack the tip of the tooth's root, causing serious bone loss. Such bone loss can result in tooth loss.
Length of the endodontic retreatment procedure
An endodontic retreatment is essentially a repeat root canal. Therefore, if you remember how long your first procedure took, the length of the retreatment should be comparable. On average, it takes about 90 minutes.
How many dental visits does a patient need for root canal therapy? Two visits for most patients. The first visit is when the actual procedure will be performed and the second visit is when the patient will undergo necessary tooth restoration.
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.