Symptoms of Failed Root Canal Treatment
Anatomically, the tooth; It consists of 3 layers, from outside to inside: enamel, dentin and pulp. The pulp contains blood vessels and nerves. As tooth decay (infection) progresses to the pulp, our patients begin to feel pain. In the future, this pain reaches levels that prevent living life. The most important result we encounter in most oral and dental health problems is that our patients’ teeth fall out or they have to extract their teeth.
The last step before reaching this conclusion is to perform root canal treatment. The aim of root canal treatment is to enter the canal of the decayed tooth, clean the infection in the pulp area and fill the gap created during the treatment. Contrary to popular belief, root canal treatment is usually painless, pain can be controlled with today’s technological possibilities and methods, and can save the tooth that is planned to be extracted.
The first result of root canal treatment is to prevent functional and aesthetic losses in the mouth. Root canal treatment can be completed in 1 to 3 sessions, depending on need. The main purpose of treatment is to stop the existing infection and prevent it from infecting other teeth in the mouth.
How is Root Canal Treatment Applied?
Treatment begins with an examination and interview with the dentist. From now on, from the moment the dentist says that root canal treatment is required, patients’ compliance with the doctor’s recommendations strictly increases the success of the treatment.
Although the treatment stages vary depending on the patient, the first step is usually to take a panoramic x-ray to evaluate the roots of the tooth that are not visible during examination. In this way, the compatibility of the patient’s complaints and the medical condition is checked. The next most important stage is the anesthesia (Numbing) stage, which will provide the patient with comfort during the treatment. Nowadays, a very effective treatment process can be achieved with very few anesthetic drugs. In order to reach the canal of the tooth, the pulp is entered by opening an existing hole or a new hole. This is the most effective stage of treatment. In this way, all infected (rotten) tissues are removed and this area is cleaned. All these processes result in tissue loss in the tooth. For this purpose, in the last stage, the treatment is completed by filling the tissue loss with filler.
When is Root Canal Treatment Necessary?
The indication (necessity) for root canal treatment occurs in the following problems:
- Extreme hot-cold sensitivity and pain
- Feeling pain when chewing or biting food
- Loose (Loose) tooth
As a result of these symptoms, swelling may occur that is noticeable from the outside.
Things to Consider After Root Canal Treatment
After root canal treatment, tenderness may occur while chewing, especially in the first few days. After the treatment, you should first use the medications given to you by your doctor carefully. However, you should not engage in eating or drinking for at least three hours.
In treatments that last several sessions, you should be more careful, especially when handling your teeth that have undergone root canal treatment.
You should do oral care more effectively and intensively than ever.
It is recommended that you do not consume very hot or very cold foods for the first few days following the treatment.
How Long Does Root Canal Treatment Take?
Although it is generalized that the correct answer to this question varies depending on the patient; Each session takes 30-90 minutes for a single tooth. This variation in duration depends on the patient’s compliance with the treatment, the level of infection in the tooth, and the speed of the physician.
Is There Pain After Root Canal Treatment?
The success rate of root canal treatment is generally high.
Pain may increase in the first few days of treatment. This should not worry you.
Generally, the most important expected result is pain; It becomes a pain that can be controlled with painkillers and disappears completely.
If your pain does not subside after a short time (3-10 days) after the root canal treatment, it is recommended that you be re-examined by your treating physician.
Persistent pain can be interpreted as treatment failure, but a definitive diagnosis can be made with detailed examination and a repeat panoramic x-ray.
To Summarize
In the event of a failed root canal treatment, the symptoms and consequences the patient may experience can be quite serious. First of all, persistence of pain and tenderness after treatment may indicate that the treatment has failed. Additionally, failure to control pain after treatment may indicate that the infection is still present and may cause other complications. In this case, it is also possible for the patient to experience symptoms such as swelling, redness or inflammation around the tooth. A failed root canal treatment can also affect the structure of the tooth and lead to tooth loss or extraction.
However, in case of a failed root canal treatment, retreatment may be required or the tooth may need to be extracted. The retreatment process can often be more complex and time-consuming and may cause the patient to experience further discomfort. In case of tooth extraction, it may be necessary to fill the gap or consider alternative treatment options such as implants.
Therefore, it is important for patients to consult a dentist immediately if they experience any pain or discomfort after root canal treatment. Early intervention can help prevent potential complications and preserve long-term dental health. Consequently, in the event of a failed root canal treatment, it is important to receive appropriate treatment and care in a timely manner so that the patient’s optimal dental health can be restored and future problems prevented.