Common symptoms and signs that you may have a failed root canal

In an ideal world, we’d all have a perfectly healthy set of beautiful, pearlescent teeth. It should go without saying that this scenario is not a reality for the majority. Even with a good oral hygiene regimen, our oral health can (and probably will) face challenges. In some cases, a root canal may even be needed to save a tooth. Root canals are perfectly safe and, contrary to what you may have heard, a fairly painless procedure that provides no more discomfort to the patient than a routine filling. Root canals are not perfect, though, and they can sometimes fail. Patients in Colorado Springs, Colorado, look to Dr. Chris Brady at Dental Health and Wellness when root canals fail. Dr. Brady can remove teeth with failed root canals safely and effectively. 

If you’ve had a root canal, it may help to understand some of the symptoms and signs that could indicate you need to have your tooth extracted.

Pain

A very apparent sign that you could have a failed root canal comes in the form of pain or discomfort in the area of your mouth where the procedure was performed. The pain could be dull and achy or sharp and acute. It could develop once your oral anesthetic wears off after the root canal, or you may not feel anything until several days or weeks after, but when it does happen, it’s best to schedule an appointment and bring it up with your dentist.

Tooth sensitivity

You may not realize it, but your teeth are incredibly delicate and can pick up on sensations before additional symptoms become noticeable. When you undergo a root canal, all nerves are removed with the pulp, so you should not experience any tooth sensitivity afterward. If external factors such as temperature changes or contact from your toothbrush are causing your tooth discomfort, there is a chance that something is wrong. So, it is a very evident sign that the procedure has failed. As such, the tooth should be examined and possibly removed if necessary.

Swelling

Are you experiencing any swelling in the gums, jaw, or side of the mouth where you’ve had a root canal? Once you’ve had this procedure performed, you should not experience anything other than very mild irritation, and this is typically at the site where you had an injection. If you are suffering from swollen gums, it could be due to the development of a cyst or infection of the bone, so you need to reach out to your dentist immediately. This is especially true if you notice the swelling starting to spread.

Pus discharge

Another symptom of a failed root canal could be pus discharge due to the development of an abscess. An abscess has to have some way to drain itself, and one way it does this is by creating sores along the gums near the tooth’s root. This allows discharge to surface through existing cavities or cracks in the teeth. Another place you could have discharge is at the gum when you press down on your tooth. Discharge will often have a salty or metallic taste to it, so it is noticeable. See your dentist immediately if you notice this.

Failed root canals, while not very common, do occur. Often, this procedure is the last resort to save a tooth so, when it fails, your dentist may have to consider extracting the tooth. These are just some of the signs and symptoms you may experience if you have a failed root canal. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, even if it is not described here, please reach out to your dentist. If you are in the Colorado Springs, Colorado area, you can reach out to Dr. Chris Brady for an appointment at (719) 215-9292.

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