How Do You Know If Your Root Canal Failed?

Within the inner chamber of your tooth is the pulp, which contains nerves, blood vessels, and more. When this pulp is infected, it must be removed via a root canal. People in the Augusta, Georgia area trust Dr. Emmanuel Ngoh and the team at Augusta Endodontic Center to safely and effectively perform root canals. While root canals have a very high success rate, there are times when they can fail, and the tooth to become infected again. So, you must know what steps to take and what symptoms could indicate that you have a failed root canal.

What Does It Mean for A Root Canal to Fail?

If the treated tooth does not have the entirety of the infection removed, or if the infection redevelops, then the root canal is a failure. A failed root canal may take weeks or even months to become apparent. If you have ever undergone a root canal, you may already recognize signs of infection, including swelling, tooth discoloration, or pimples on your gums. If you do not seek treatment, the infection could advance to other teeth, making it more difficult to save your teeth.

What Do You Do If Your Root Canal Fails?

It can take a while for a failed root canal to be detected due to some patients showing no visible signs or symptoms and others experiencing symptoms differently than when they needed their initial root canal. Because the tooth’s pulp cannot heal by itself when infected, treatment is essential. This marks the importance of knowing the symptoms of a failed root canal for anybody who undergoes a root canal. If you know the symptoms, you will know when to reach out to your dentist.

What Are the Symptoms of a Failed Root Canal?

Symptoms of a failed root canal can include:

• Pimples or boils on your gums
• Tooth discoloration
• Sensitivity of the tooth when biting down
• Continuous pain in the treated tooth
• Abscess development near the treated tooth
• Gum tissue tenderness near the treated tooth
• Swelling in the face and neck region
• Gums become swollen near the treated tooth

It is important to note that your tooth and gums will be a bit sore following a root canal. This is normal and could continue for a few days following your treatment. However, if this persists for a week or more, you will want to contact your dentist or endodontist so that they can get you in for an appointment to look at the tooth. X-rays may be needed to confirm a root canal failure. A failed root canal will not get better on its own, so it’s imperative to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Schedule An Appointment Today!

If you are in Augusta, GA, seeking a local endodontist to perform a root canal or experiencing symptoms of a failed root canal, please contact Dr. Emmanuel Ngoh and the team by calling (706) 800-9118 for a consultation.

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