What Causes Root Canal Failure

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You needroot canal retreatment in Thorton, CO, when you start experiencing symptoms in the same tooth that you had previously treated. Although most root canals eliminate the throbbing pain and inflammation present before the first procedure, a small percentage of people do not recover as expected. If you have had a root canal and the pain lingers for weeks or months afterward, please do not hesitate to contact Colorado Root Canal Specialist.

Factors That Lead to the Need for Root Canal Retreatment

Trauma to the mouth after a root canal can cause the original procedure to fail, as can new tooth decay. Committing to good oral healthcare after your procedure is important since plaque can accumulate in your mouth and cause new decay along your gumline.

Dentists place a crown on the treated tooth at the end of each root canal procedure to protect it from further infection. If the seal is not tight enough between the tooth and the crown, the crown can deteriorate, and bacteria can begin forming underneath it.

Recognizing the Signs of a Failed Root Canal

Ongoing pain is an obvious indicator that something is wrong that requires attention from a dentist. Below are several other signs that your root canal may not have worked.

  • Discharge coming through a small crack in your tooth or your gums
  • Pimple or boil on your jaw
  • Repeated sinus infections
  • Sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages
  • Swelling in your jaw, gums, or side of your mouth
  • Tooth discoloration

It is important to have these symptoms evaluated right away to determine the cause of them. Even if root canal failure is not the cause of your symptoms, you still need treatment.

Please reach out to the Colorado Root Canal Specialist with additional questions or to schedule a root canal retreatment in Thornton, CO.

5 Benefits of Having a Root Canal

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If your dentist in Thornton, CO, has told you that you need to have a root canal, you probably want to weigh the benefits first. Knowing the benefits of having a root canal will assist you when it comes time to make a decision about having it done.

Five Benefits of Having a Root Canal

Here are just some of the benefits of having a root canal.

1. Pain Relief

When you have an infected tooth, you will experience extreme pain. Having a root canal in Thornton, CO, will remove the damaged pulp from that tooth, resulting in instant relief.

2. Natural Tooth Preservation

When your dentist removes the damaged root of your tooth, it will stop further damage to that tooth, resulting in the preservation of your natural tooth.

3. Prevent the Spread of Infection

An infected tooth is loaded with bacteria that will spread to your neighboring teeth and into your bloodstream, where it will continue to spread throughout your body. When this happens, you risk contracting other diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and more.

4. Proper Bite and Chewing

Once you’ve restored your tooth to a healthy state, it will be easier for you to bite and chew your food. This, in turn, will result in you having better digestion.

5. Long-Term Solution

Having a root canal is a long-term solution. A damaged tooth that has been treated with a root canal will help save your tooth. That tooth can then, with the proper care, remain functional throughout your life.

Are You Searching for a Dentist in Thornton, CO?

If you are searching for a dentist in Thornton, CO, please Contact Colorado Root Canal Specialist today. Our number-one concern is helping you and your family maintain happy, healthy smiles for life!

3 Things to Know About Your Root Canal Retreatment

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Root canals are a routine procedure at the endodontist but that doesn’t mean they’re simple to do. When your canals are not always as straightforward as the specialist might like, there are a few ways where the whole affair can get complicated. Root canal retreatments are a way to fix any mistakes that the dentist may have made, so you can avoid having to pull the tooth. While rare, they do happen, and it’s nice to know what you’re in for before you start.

1. Retreatment Is No Worse than the Original

A root canal retreatment in Thornton, CO, is about the same process as the original. So while it may be challenging to psyche yourself up to go back, you can at least take comfort in the fact that you’ve done it before. Whether your root canal was ordered due to a cracked crown, an infection, or a fracture, this is your chance to save the tooth, and it’s entirely a chance worth taking.

2. Your Experience May Vary

It’s important to work with your dentist to understand what you can expect during and after the treatment. For most people, the recovery time doesn’t run any longer than a few days. However, having realistic expectations about how your treatment will go is important, so you’re not concerned if anything veers off the course of ‘typical’.

3. Your Endodontist in Thornton, CO Matters

A retreatment can theoretically happen to even the best endodontists in Thornton. However, if you’re concerned about the original endodontist who performed the root canal, it may be time to consider another specialist. At Colorado Root Canal Specialist, our team can help you get the care you need so you can move on.

 

How Does Tooth Pulp Become Infected?

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If your dentist has recommended a root canal in Thornton, CO, you may be wondering how your tooth got infected in the first place. You could also need a root canal because a tooth has become badly decayed. In either case, Dr. McBride removes the infected pulp in the tooth and covers it with a dental cap to preserve and strengthen it.

How the Pulp in Your Tooth Becomes Damaged

Inflammation, irritation, and infection of tooth pulp can happen for a variety of reasons. The most common ones include:

  • Cracked or chipped tooth
  • Decay deep within the tooth
  • Having several previous dental procedures performed on the tooth
  • Large fillings
  • Trauma to your face that involves the tooth

You will not develop infected tooth pulp immediately if you have one of these issues. The infection is more likely to develop slowly over time. Severe pain in the affected tooth is usually the first indication that you might need a root canal. Here are some other symptoms you might notice:

  • Extreme sensitivity to hot and cold food or beverages
  • Pimples on your gums
  • Tenderness and swelling of gum tissues
  • The affected tooth is darker than the rest

We urge you to ask your dentist for a referral to Colorado Root Canal Specialist or request your own appointment as soon as you notice any of these symptoms.

Why Prompt Treatment is Essential

Infected tooth pulp breaks down, causing bacteria to grow and multiply within the chamber of your tooth. The bacteria can cause your tooth to form an abscess, which is a painful pocket filled with pus that forms at the root of the tooth. You could also experience bone loss in your teeth and swelling that extends to your face, head, or neck. A root canal prevents these issues and allows you to keep your tooth.

Sources

Root Canal Procedure for Infected Tooth Nerve: Purpose, Procedure, Recovery (webmd.com)

Why is My Dentist Recommending a Root Canal?

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A root canal is one of the more serious dental treatments. It’s also one of the most effective options your root canal specialist in Thornton, CO has for saving your permanent tooth. If you’re wondering why your dentist is recommending a root canal, it likely has to do with something that is jeopardizing one of your teeth, such as one of the following:

Cracked or Fractured Tooth

In the event that a tooth has been broken or cracked to the point that the inner pulp has been compromised or made vulnerable to bacterial infection, a root canal operation may be required. The type of crack or fracture, and the degree to which it has occurred will determine whether or not you require a root canal. Your dentist or endodontist will be able to examine your tooth and advise you on the most appropriate course of treatment.

Abscessed Tooth

Abscessed teeth are caused by tooth decay severe enough to allow infection to enter the dental pulp. As the tooth pulp becomes infected, it can cause an abscess surrounding the tooth’s gums. An abscess is a pus-filled swelling spot on the gums. Left untreated, an abscessed tooth can cause the tooth and jawbone to degenerate, causing further discomfort and damage to the smile. Moreover, the abscess can force the tooth upward, making it looser and more susceptible to loss. In the early stages of an abscessed tooth, your dentist can treat it with antibiotics or by draining pus. If the tooth becomes infected, though, your dentist will need to perform root canal therapy to preserve it.

Deep Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is a bacterial infection of the tooth where acid erodes the enamel and dentin. 2 If this decay is not addressed in its early stages, it will gradually progress until it reaches the pulp of the tooth, causing inflammation and infection of the pulp, discomfort, and finally the tooth’s demise. Your dentist may prescribe a root canal if serious tooth decay has reached the pulp of the tooth. During a root canal operation, the damaged portions of the tooth and the entire infected pulp are removed, medicine may be given to eliminate any current infection, and the root is filled and sealed with a dental filler. The function of the tooth must then be restored with a filling or a crown.

Gum Disease

One of the ways gum disease can lead to the need for a root canal is by affecting the pulp tissue of the tooth. The pulp tissue consists of blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue and is fragile and delicate. When periodontal disease advances, it can cause the gums to separate from the teeth, exposing the root surface to germs. The bacteria can then infect the pulp tissue by entering the tooth through tiny root holes. Infected pulp tissue can become inflamed and swollen, resulting in discomfort, sensitivity, and potentially an abscess. If the infection is not quickly treated, it can spread to the neighboring tissues, resulting in further harm to the tooth and its supporting structures.

Remember, your dentist’s ultimate goal is to keep your permanent teeth healthy. A root canal is an effective way to save a tooth when its health is jeopardized. When you need a root canal in Thornton, CO, contact us to book your appointment.

Retreatment for Your Root Canal

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When your dental professional performs a root canal to save your tooth, they clean out the inner workings and refill the root canals with a material that’s intended to prevent re-infection. Lastly, the tooth is sealed with a restoration. Usually, this fixes the dental issue, and as long as you continue to brush and floss regularly, you’ll experience no further problems with that tooth. However, sometimes a root canal fails to prevent re-infection. When this happens, your root canal specialist in Thornton, CO, may suggest a procedure called a root canal retreatment.

What Can Cause a Root Canal to Fail?

There are several possible scenarios in which a root canal may fail to protect your tooth. For example:

  • If there was a delay between the original root canal and the placing of the restoration
  • If there is a subsequent injury to the treated tooth
  • If the treated tooth develops a second cavity after treatment
  • If the restoration becomes loose or breaks away
  • If your dentist was unable to reach curved or narrow root canals to clean them thoroughly during your initial procedure

Any one of these possibilities could cause you to need root canal retreatment. If you begin experiencing pain in a tooth previously treated, schedule an appointment to see your dental professional right away before your condition worsens.

What Is a Root Canal Retreatment Procedure?

During your root canal retreatment, your dental professional will perform an oral exam and take diagnostic tests, such as X-rays, to better understand why your initial restoration failed. Afterward, they’ll devise a course of treatment. A root canal retreatment involves removing the initial restoration, re-cleaning and sanitizing the root canals, and re-filling the holes. They’ll also place a new restoration on top to seal the tooth. Ideally, this will fix the issue you’re having with that particular tooth.

If you suspect you may need root canal retreatment in Thornton, CO, call Colorado Root Canal Specialist today. A member of our friendly and experienced team is waiting to take your call. And we’re happy to schedule an appointment that conveniently fits your busy schedule. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and comprehensive oral exam.

Everything You Need to Know About Root Canal Retreatment  

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Root canals can be so effective at preserving a tooth that has structural problems that reach below the gum line. While the treatment can be effective and long-lasting, occasionally, a root canal can have to be replaced or redone. If you are told that you need root canal retreatment, you are bound to have a few questions about the procedure and what to expect. Here are a few important things to keep in mind as you plan for the replacement of your existing root canal.

Root Canal Retreatment Is Similar to the Initial Root Canal Treatment

When you go in for retreatment, the existing root canal will be drilled away just as the dentist drilled out the affected interior tooth tissue during the first root canal. If the affected tooth has been capped with a crown, this crown may have to be removed prior to treatment. Once the existing canal is removed, the dentist will use magnifying instruments to examine the new opening and plan for the new root canal.

Retreated Teeth Can Be Just as Strong

It is easy to assume that having a tooth that has had a root canal more than once would mean the tooth is more likely to cause problems, but this is not true. Typically, a second root canal on the same tooth can function for just as many years as a tooth with one root canal. It is not uncommon for teeth to last a lifetime if a root canal is done in a timely manner, even if the root canal has to be redone at some point.

Extraction May Be the Only Alternative to Root Canal Retreatment

If you do opt to avoid a second root canal, the usual alternative is simply extracting the tooth. Without retreatment, the tooth will further deteriorate, so decay can lead to a multitude of problems and risks, such as a dental abscess. Of course, if you do opt for extraction, you may have other cosmetic options such as having a dental implant placed or obtaining a partial denture.

Work with a Root Canal Dentist in Thornton, CO

Secondary root canals are common, and the procedure is a straightforward one that can preserve the life of your tooth. If you believe you need root canal retreatment, please reach out to us at Colorado Root Canal Specialist in Thornton, CO to schedule an appointment.