5 Causes Of Root Canal Failure And How To Treat It

Putting your life in the hands of a medical and dental expert can be risky. A vital factor in having successful dental surgeries is going to a specialist for a dentistry treatment. Since there are many clinics today that you can get a consultation from, people can easily trust these offices. However, one should be able to distinguish their expertise from their preferred field. Dapto Dentists’ website talks about the importance of education and training for dentists specializing in endodontic, periodontics, and prosthetic dentistry. It can also be a challenge for a dentist to correctly follow the protocols that will avoid not just the patient’s root canal failure but save them from their financial burden.

Why Do People Need Root Canal?

What makes root canal therapy a proper choice for people with toothaches? Severe toothache and clenching of the jaw can indicate that a person is suffering from a decaying tooth. Food debris that can cause plaque and cavities may also break down the bone density, leaving it vulnerable to bacterial infection. If a person doesn’t treat their severe toothache symptom quickly, the pulp of the tooth may become necrotized. Necrotic teeth can have darker or brownish teeth with severe bleeding and swelling of gums. It is vital for anyone with this concern to get their root canal therapy to save their tooth. The last resort for anyone with severe tooth problems is extraction or surgery. 

5 Causes Of Root Canal Failure After Endodontic Therapy

After receiving root canal therapy, it is the desire of both the doctor and the patient to have complete healing after the session. However, there can be risks to be careful with, especially if it may cost more than what you should have paid for. Here are some scenarios that you may watch out for during and after your endodontic root canal therapy.  

Inadequate Canal Fillings Or Amalgam

A material to fill in the canals of a tooth is called a filling or dental amalgam. These materials are supposed to seal your tooth from having reinfection again. However, if the endodontist failed to fill the canals after cleaning and removing infected pulp tissues. Endodontists should check the lateral, accessory, or other specific canals according to the type of teeth. This marks why a patient should only get a root canal from an endodontic doctor or surgeon for dentistry. 

Cracked Roots

Cracked roots may generally occur if the tooth is multi-rooted. Meaning, even expert endodontists may find it challenging not to make root canal therapy a failed treatment. The multi-rooted tooth can only be salvaged by amputation and cutting of the infected teeth. Apicoectomy may be advised for people with a multi-root structure. 

Improper Coronal Sealing

Pain or discomfort on the tooth can also result from the defective or incorrect final sealing of the infected root canal. The failed sealing case is often called Coronal Leakage from reasons like temporary restoration, recurring tooth decay, or cracked or lost filling. It is a must for any surgeon or doctor to be thorough with their cleaning, treatment, and restoration to avoid such problems in the future. 

Lack Of Expertise Or Training

Malpractice in the field of dentistry is rare, considering that resident doctors and surgeons should already have ample knowledge. However, new graduates who may be undergoing residency or experience through training from dental schools can complicate their patient’s health. This event may be common for people looking for cheaper ways to pay for their dental treatment. Moreover, it is crucial for a patient only to get their procedure from an endodontist and not from a general dentist or otherwise. You may put not just your tooth but also your overall well-being if the failed root canal becomes periodontal disease.

New Infection Due To Loose Crown

Some failed results of root canals may not happen within weeks or months. Canals with complications may happen after years of having the supposedly successful treatment. A bone fracture may also occur with these crowns, which often need emergency assessment right away. A person with gum disease or a cracked tooth needs to replace their crown to avoid bacteria and germs from intruding the nerve in the pulp.

Is A Root Canal Failure Treatable? 

A patient within 72 hours or a week of having the nonintrusive therapy should be mindful of the tooth’s appearance. A root canal failure may be possible, but it is treatable through advanced dentistry techniques. You can check with your local dental office about the requirements and diagnostics through your follow-up. Symptoms of cases that fail after treated root canal show as pain, bleeding, or swelling of gums.

• Through Endodontic Retreatment

A patient can get root canal therapy again after the root canal failure situation. The patient’s responsibility is to keep the medical records like X – rays and the analysis that the dentist can check. On the other hand, receiving the same endodontic treatment can be costly. Health insurance plans may cover the billings and fees of having a failed treatment. You may wish to speak to a health insurance officer or the dental clinic assistant for your options. 

• Via Tooth Extraction

If all options of recovering a tooth fail, a surgical extraction may be the only solution. The great thing about having a tooth extraction is that it doesn’t usually have failed recoveries. Tooth extraction can cost much cheaper or more expensive than having the endodontic retreatment. Nevertheless, your dentist should determine restoration operations rather than having your teeth pulled immediately. Don’t hesitate to ask questions to ensure the success of your dental treatment. 

How Can Patients Avoid Root Canal Failure?

In reality, it may be inevitable to have risks and failed operations. However, this does not dismiss the fact that the dental clinic or hospital should be responsible for their actions. On the other hand, patients can also avoid having complicated root canal therapy and prevent root canal failure.  Gentle antiseptic mouthwash can remove bacteria and germs. Of course, proper dental hygiene during the recovery and visiting your dentist regularly can also improve canals restoration. You may also have to avoid poking, clenching, and touching the area to prevent root canal failure.