How Do You Know If a Root Canal Failed?

Getting a root canal is supposed to stop pain and save a tooth. But sometimes, it doesn’t work as expected, and the tooth might still cause trouble. A root canal failure​ can be frustrating, and you might wonder if something went wrong. Let’s see how to tell if your root canal failed, what causes it, and what to do if it happens.

How Do You Know If a Root Canal Is Failing?

Failure of the root canal doesn’t happen often, but it’s not unheard of. The root canal failure rate is about 5-15%. So, how do you know if your root canal has failed? The best way to find out is by visiting your dentist:

• They’ll likely take an X-ray to check the inside of the tooth and make sure the infection is gone.
• If the X-ray shows signs of infection or other problems, they can help you figure out what to do next.
• If you’re still feeling pain, swelling, or discomfort months after the procedure, it’s a good idea to see your dentist as soon as possible.
• They can do more tests to make sure everything is healing properly.

Root Canal Failure Symptoms​

How X-Rays Are Used to Identify Failed Root Canals?

X-rays are one of the most important tools dentists use to check for root canal failure​. An X-ray can show if there’s an infection still in the tooth or if the root didn’t heal properly. A good dentist will look at the root canals and look for any signs that the infection has spread or that the filling isn’t sealed correctly. If there’s an issue, your dentist will talk to you about the next steps, which may involve more treatment or even a follow-up procedure. Without an X-ray, it’s much harder to see what’s going on inside the tooth, so it’s a helpful step in catching a failed root canal early.

What Causes Root Canal Failure​?

What To Do for a Failed Root Canal?

If you think you’re experiencing root canal failure, don’t wait. See your dentist right away. They’ll take an X-ray to see what’s going on inside your tooth. If the problem is that the infection wasn’t fully cleaned out, they may suggest re-doing the root canal. This means they’ll clean out the tooth again, remove any remaining infection, and fill it back up properly to seal it off.

If redoing the root canal treatment Phoenix doesn’t work, your dentist might recommend an apicoectomy. This is a procedure where they make a small cut in the gum to get to the tip of the root and clean out the infection that’s stuck there. It sounds more complicated, but it’s often very effective.

In cases where the tooth is just too damaged to save, your dentist might need to pull it out. If that happens, they’ll help you figure out what to do next. You might need a dental implant or a bridge to replace the missing tooth so you can get your smile back and avoid any gaps.

Is Your Dentist Responsible for a Failed Root Canal?

Root canal failure isn’t always the dentist’s fault. In many cases, it happens because of factors that can’t be controlled, like the tooth’s unique structure or how the infection behaved. Some teeth have extra roots that are hard to treat, or the infection might hide in places that are difficult to clean.

That being said, if a dentist didn’t do the root canal properly, for example, by missing part of the infection or failing to seal the tooth, then they could be responsible. You need to talk to your dentist if you’re concerned about your treatment. They can explain what happened and what can be done to fix it.

The Bottom Line

While it’s rare, a root canal failure is possible. But if you notice symptoms like pain, swelling, or sensitivity, don’t ignore them and visit 24 hour emergency dentist. The sooner you get it checked out, the better. If your root canal has failed, there are treatment options available to help fix the problem and save your tooth.

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