A root canal is a dental procedure necessary when there is severe decay, infection, or trauma to your tooth. The procedure involves the removal of the innermost portion of your tooth, referred to as “the pulp.” This is done by making a small hole in your tooth. Once the pulp is removed, the canal of your tooth is disinfected and closed. A root canal is a highly effective procedure and can save your natural tooth. Despite its effectiveness, root canals can fail. Below you will find what to do if your root canal fails: immediate key steps.
What to do if your root canal fails: immediate key steps
A root canal treatment has a high success rate. It offers patients a number of benefits. Not only can it improve your oral health, but it can also preserve your natural tooth. If you think your root canal has failed, take the necessary steps to address the issue. Consider the following and be sure to address the issue promptly.
Assess Your Symptoms:
Common symptoms of root canal failure can look similar to normal symptoms after the procedure. This can be somewhat confusing so it’s important to monitor your symptoms. Common symptoms after a root canal include pain and swelling. This is normal and should subside within a few days. Symptoms of root canal failure include severe pain, swelling, and drainage in the affected tooth. These symptoms generally get worse instead of better over time.
Contact Your Dentist:
Your dentist will provide you with instructions on how to care for your tooth and oral health after a root canal. It is important to strictly follow those instructions. However, if you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, contact your dentist right away. They can determine if the symptoms are normal or if you need to visit the dentist. Due to the impact of a failed root canal, avoid waiting to contact your dentist.
Dental Appointment and Evaluation:
It is important for your dentist to understand the cause of the root canal failure. This requires a physical examination of your tooth and an X-ray. Root canals are highly effective and have more than a 95% success rate. Because of this, it’s important to understand why your root canal failed. Retreatment may be necessary, but there are other effective treatment options as well.
Treatment Options:
Once a dentist has assessed your tooth, there are a number of treatment options available after a failed root canal. A common treatment option is retreatment. Sometimes the canal may not be properly disinfected. Retreatemtn can ensure the canal of your tooth is clean before it’s closed up again. If retreatment isn’t an option, tooth extraction may be necessary. Your dentist can provide you with the cause of the root canal failure and effective treatment issues.
Manage Your Symptoms:
Depending on how the root canal failure was addressed, you may experience varying symptoms. Talk with your dentist about effective ways to manage your symptoms. Pain and swelling are common and can be difficult to tolerate without medication. Over-the-counter pain medication and using a cold compress can manage your symptoms. You should be back to full health within one week. Talk to your dentist if you notice any irregular symptoms.
Family Dentist
Having a dentist for the whole family can make things so much easier. A family dentist offers services for the whole family, from orthodontics to root canals. If you need to make dental appointments, contact the team at La Mirada One Dental Group. They are skilled in a variety of dental services to ensure your oral health stays in good shape.