Causes, Symptoms and Corrective Responses of a Failed Root Canal
A root canal is a corrective action performed by a dentist. After administering local anesthesia to the patient, a hole is drilled into the affected tooth to access the infected area. The cavity is cleaned and disinfected, and the debris is removed first before a filling is placed. To lower the chances of reinfection, fillings are made out of inert materials.
If left untreated, the infectious part can spread bacteria to other regions such as the gums resulting to further complications. This procedure is also known as endodontic therapy.
Although the treatment is performed by a specialist and has a success rate of up to 98%, complications can sometimes occur due to various factors. These include:
- Poorly filled canals
- Instrument complications
- Procedural errors such as a poorly designed access cavity
- Leakage due to inappropriate coronal seal
- Bacteria
- Root fracture
One leading cause of a failed endodontic procedure is persistent infection. Research carried out on treatment failures has shown a co-relation between micro-biological infection and bone rarefactions. If bacteria are present around the root, they can make it inaccessible in some cases. This raises the chances of treatment failure.
The main determining factor in the success of a root canal is the quality of the fillings. Improper sealing can cause apical periodontitis, which is inflammation of the tissue surrounding your teeth. This will cause pain when you bite down food.
A leaking seal is another contributing factor. As fluids seep in, they tend to perpetuate inflammation lowering the odds of successful therapy.
Root fracture can occur due to a pre-existing crack that is, at times, too small to be seen. If unidentified, it will harbor bacteria resulting in an infection.
Thorough debridement is vital for a favorable outcome.
Symptoms of an unsuccessful root canal
When undergoing endodontic therapy, paying your dentist regular check-up visits is advised. This will help to monitor your tooth’s healing response and keeps you on the look-out for any unexpected changes.
Here are some of the signs that can show your procedure took a wrong turn;
- Swelling gums
- Pain
- Draining sinus pus
- Increased mobility
These symptoms can appear years after undergoing the treatment procedure. You should report them to your dental care practitioner immediately they begin to show.
Restorative procedures
Retrograde endodontic procedure is a way of restoring a failed root canal influenced by a leaky seal. It aims to create favorable conditions for healing by blocking out contaminants.
If you are suffering from acute periodontitis, see a dentist near you before it worsens and turns chronic.
Restoration involves going for a tooth extraction or extracting the tip of the affected tooth surgically, a process known as an apicoectomy. This becomes the last resort if the antibiotics have failed.
Re-root canal therapy means getting rid of the old endodontic treatment and filling the cavity for the second time. Evidence has shown that people who have undergone a re-root canal have a high percentage of a successful re-rooted tooth.
The initial step is to try and remove all the gutta-percha in the canals. This will be achieved by using strong solutions to soften and dissolve materials in the cavity.
Placing a post in the tooth to support the crown makes the treatment more difficult to carry out. The post is extracted first to sterilize the cavities, and this is sometimes associated with pain.
Tips to avoid root canal failure
The reason for keeping dental records is because there are no patients who have similar teeth. This affects how they respond to treatment procedures. The tips below will guide you on how to avoid a failed root canal.
- Know which tooth is getting treated
- Ensure all canals get filled
- Avoid bacterial contamination – This will prevent the cleaned tooth from infection by the bacteria present before.
If you are thinking of getting a root canal, you must seek the services of an experienced dentist.
Get your root canal in Brooklyn, NY, by visiting the New Leaf Dental. Emergency, cosmetic, and general dentistry are among many of the services we offer and the cases we treat. Having issues with your teeth? Do not let yourself suffer anymore. Give us a call and book an appointment with us.