If you’ve undergone root canal therapy near you, you may be curious about whether or not your tooth could still become infected. This is a common question patients ask their dentist. The short answer is yes, but this is not very common. Let me explain how this happens and what you should know.
What Is a Root Canal Treatment?
A root canal is a dental procedure that can help save a tooth that has been damaged or infected. In this treatment, your root canal dentist removes the infected or damaged pulp from inside your tooth. Pulp is the soft tissue that contains nerves and blood vessels.
Once the dentist in Newmarket has cleaned out the untreated pulp, he or she will fill the space with a specialized material and seal the tooth.
Why Might a Tooth Get Infected After a Root Canal?
While root canal treatment is very successful, problems can arise. Here are the main ways a tooth can become infected again.
1. Incomplete Cleaning
On occasion, bacteria can hide in hard-to-reach spaces inside the tooth. If not all of the bacteria are removed during the initial treatment, bacteria can regrow and reinfect the tooth.
2. Broken Seal
The crown or filling that covers your tooth after a root canal must remain tight. When this seal breaks or is damaged, bacteria are allowed to enter your tooth again. It’s similar to leaving a door open for germs to enter.
3. New Decay
If you don’t take proper care of your teeth once the treatment is done, new cavities will develop. Such cavities will allow bacteria to enter the interior of your tooth once more.
4. Cracked Tooth
In some cases, a tooth may develop small cracks after root canal treatment. These cracks provide bacteria with a means to access the inside of the tooth.
Signs Your Tooth Might Be Infected Again
It is important to know what signs to look for. In case you experience any of the above symptoms, you must consult a dentist near you immediately
- Hurt when you bite or chew
- Soreness in your gum near the tooth
- Bad taste in your mouth
- Sensitive or sore gums
- A small swelling in your gum near the tooth
- Loose tooth
- Bad odour from the tooth region or area
What to Expect During a Root Canal
Knowing what to expect during a root canal will make you feel more at ease about the procedure. This is what typically happens
| Step | What Happens | Time Needed |
| 1. Numbing | The dentist gives you local anesthesia | 5-10 minutes |
| 2. Opening | A small hole is made in the tooth | 10-15 minutes |
| 3. Cleaning | Infected pulp is removed, and canals are cleaned | 30-45 minutes |
| 4. Filling | Canals are filled with special material | 15-20 minutes |
| 5. Sealing | The tooth is sealed with a temporary or permanent filling | 10-15 minutes |
Most people don’t feel any pain or very little pain while undergoing the treatment due to the numbing medication.
How Often Do Root Canals Fail?
Root canal therapy is quite successful. Research indicates that between 85 and 97 out of 100 root canals are successful for many years. What this implies is that only between 3 and 15 out of 100 treatments may have issues later.
How to Prevent Infection After a Root Canal
You can do several things to keep your tooth healthy after root canal treatment near you
Good Oral Care
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
- Floss daily to eliminate bacteria between the teeth
- Use mouthwash to kill germs
Regular Dental Visits
Go for checkups and cleanings with your dentist every six months. Your dentist will be able to detect problems early before they become major issues.
Protect Your Tooth
- Do not chew hard foods such as ice or hard candy
- Wear a mouth guard when you play sports
- Do not use your teeth to cut through open packages
Get Your Crown
If your dentist says that you need a crown after root canal treatment, get it. A crown can help to keep your tooth safe and prevent bacteria from entering.
What Happens If Your Tooth Gets Infected Again?
If your tooth becomes infected after a root canal, do not panic. There are a few ways of treating it:
Retreatment
Your dentist may repeat the root canal procedure. This means taking out the old filling material, cleaning the tooth once again, and placing new filling material.
Apicoectomy
A minor surgery in which the dentist takes out the tip of the tooth root and the infected tissue around it.
Tooth Extraction
In some cases, if the tooth cannot be preserved, it may have to be extracted. Your dentist can then replace it with a bridge or dental implant.
When to See Your Dentist
You should call your dentist if you have any pain, swelling, or other symptoms after your root canal therapy in Newmarket. Do not wait for the pain to get worse. Early treatment can often save your tooth and prevent bigger problems.
The Bottom Line
Even though it’s uncommon, a tooth can potentially get infected after a root canal. Most root canals are successful and will last many years. Keeping up with good dental hygiene and regular dental visits will help keep your teeth healthy.
Save Your Tooth With Expert Root Canal!
If you are suffering from dental pain or if you have a tooth infection, then Keep28 Dental Centre is your answer. Our dentists are highly experienced and offer safe and gentle root canal treatment, thereby preserving the damaged teeth and maintaining your oral health as well. We use the most modern treatment instruments and techniques to ensure maximum comfort of the patient during treatment and ensure optimum results.
Do you want relief from the tooth pain? Then set up a consultation for your root canal today at Keep28 Dental Centre.