While it does not happen very often, it is possible for a tooth to still get infected after undergoing a root canal procedure. There are a few different reasons why re-infection can occur, making it essential for every dental patient to understand these reasons so they can avoid experiencing another tooth infection.
Sometimes, you can get a delayed root canal infection on a tooth that's pain-free for some time. A tooth that's been treated with a root canal may not heal fully, and could become painful or diseased months or even years after treatment.
A root canal infection brings severe pain in its wake. The pain intensifies when you bite down or place pressure on the affected tooth. Additionally, you may experience tooth sensitivity when you eat hot or cold food and drinks. The pain can also originate from inflammation of the gums.
With proper care, even teeth that have had root canal treatment can last a lifetime. But sometimes, a tooth that has been treated doesn't heal properly and can become painful or diseased months or even years after treatment.
First, though the nerve-filled “pulp” is removed from your tooth, there are still other nerves and sensitive tissues near the canal of your tooth, and these can be irritated and become swollen or inflamed after your endodontic treatment, causing some minor discomfort.
A dentist can repeat a root canal treatment on a tooth two or more times. While teeth that undergo a root canal procedure can last a lifetime, some of these teeth may not heal properly due to salivary contamination and other reasons.
To treat the infection in the root canal, the bacteria need to be removed. This can be done by either: removing the bacteria from the root canal system (root canal treatment) removing the tooth (extraction)
What's more, if you're dealing with an infected root canal, antibiotics really are not going to cut it. In these cases, you'll need to have the bacteria removed, either by root canal treatment or tooth extraction, in order for it to heal.
Occasionally, an infection can persist or reemerge after you have undergone root canal therapy. When this happens, retreatment of the root canal might become necessary. If that approach is unable to completely and fully eradicate the infection, root canal surgery can resolve the issue.
Sometimes bacteria from saliva may get under the filling material before it is sealed, potentially leading to reinfection. New cavities may later develop due to poor dental hygiene, and this can even happen on teeth where there already was a root canal.
While it does not happen very often, it is possible for a tooth to still get infected after undergoing a root canal procedure. There are a few different reasons why re-infection can occur, making it essential for every dental patient to understand these reasons so they can avoid experiencing another tooth infection.
When we take periodic x-rays of your teeth, we can detect a root canal infection long before it shows any symptoms and becomes serious.
Tenderness or pain in the tooth when applying pressure, even after recovering from treatment. Swelling after recovery or pimple-like structures developing and leaking pus in the area. Temperature sensitivity, such as a quick, sharp pain after taking a sip of hot coffee or cold soda.
You have severe tooth pain, especially when you chew or bite. You notice a small, pimple-like bump on your gumline. Your gums are red, swollen, or tender around a particular tooth. You are experiencing tooth sensitivity to hot or cold foods or beverages.
An Infected Tooth Is Not A Problem To Take Lightly
The tooth itself may change color, and you may notice swelling in the surrounding gum tissues. If too much time passes, bacteria can spread far enough, and do enough harm, to leave extraction as the only treatment option available.
Dentists or root canal specialists called “endodontists” may be liable for dental malpractice if they breach the standard of care in performing a root canal procedure.
Root Canal Treatment Success Rate
According to this report, 98 percent of root canals last one year, 92 percent last five years, and 86 percent last ten years or longer. Molars treated by endodontists had a 10 year survival rate, significantly higher than that of molars treated by general dentists.
In most cases, root canal therapy is a better way to treat an infected tooth than an extraction. However, there are exceptions, such as if the tooth has suffered extreme damage. Your dentist will carefully analyze your oral health before making a treatment recommendation.
Serious Or Prolonged Pain 1-2 Weeks After Treatment Is Not Normal. If you have severe, sharp pain, or pain that's still very intense up to 1-2 weeks after your treatment, this is not normal at all, and it indicates that your root canal has failed, and the infection is still present in the tooth.
Since you say the pain didn't begin until 8 months later, it is likely a problem with either the root canal treatment (untreated root or unresolved infection) or a possible root fracture. To be sure, I would recommend returning to the treating doctor for an updated x-ray film in order to properly diagnose the problem.