Watch for Signs of a Failing Root Canal

ROOT CANAL THERAPY has a high rate of success compared to other surgeries, but it can sometimes fail in rare cases. We want our patients to be familiar with the warning signs of root canal failure, because it’s better for the tooth if a problem is caught early.

What Causes a Failed Root Canal?

Causes of root canal failure include poor sterilization during the operation, a missed branch of the dental root, a crack or fissure in the tooth, a broken root tip, or the sealant material not hardening quickly enough to keep bacteria from entering.

Warning Signs of Root Canal Failure

These are the signs of a failing root canal:

1. Tenderness or pain in the tooth when applying pressure, even after recovering from treatment.
2. Swelling after recovery or pimple-like structures developing and leaking pus in the area.
3. Temperature sensitivity, such as a quick, sharp pain after taking a sip of hot coffee or cold soda.
4. Discoloration from inside the tooth (which might only require internal bleaching to fix but could indicate something more serious).
5. Persistent pain in the treated tooth, particularly after the recovery period, and doubly so if it’s getting worse over time.

We Can Help

If most or all of these signs are present, it could mean a failing root canal. Make sure to contact us as soon as possible. Acting quickly could be the difference between us being able to save the tooth and having to extract it!

Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.