When it comes to oral health, those who have had root canal therapy are often concerned about the possibility of infection recurring years after the surgery.
Although infections and pulpal damage to teeth are often solved with root canals, is it possible that the problem will recur later on? Well, it might be, but you have to be careful about how you treat your oral health. For more information, contact a Houston dentist.
What are the chances of your tooth getting infected after years of root canal treatment?
A root canal is a dental operation used to treat an infected or damaged pulp of a tooth.
Once the area is numbed, the dentist extracts the infected tissue and then cleans and seals the tooth. Despite its terrifying reputation, using modern procedures is actually not too painful.
To regain strength after therapy, a crown might be recommended. By avoiding extraction and preserving oral health, this technique aims to preserve natural teeth. Getting regular checkups may avoid extensive therapy by detecting problems early.
After Your Therapy
For prompt treatment, it is essential to recognize potential indications of a tooth infection years after a root canal treatment.
You may achieve dental wellness with cautious endodontic therapy. Learn about the accuracy of root canal therapy and make sure that experts treat your teeth to preserve their long-term health and vitality.
Prolonged Pain
Recurrent severe or continuous tooth pain could be an indication of an infection. The severity of this discomfort differs and may interfere with everyday tasks.
Sensitivity and Swelling
Increased sensitivity to heat or cold and swelling around the damaged tooth could be indications of an infection developing beneath the surface.
Bad Breath or Discharge
Bacteria can thrive in the treated region. Thus, an infection could be the cause of an unexplained discharge surrounding the tooth or frequent foul breath.
Weakened Tooth Structure
A root canal makes a tooth more fragile, which increases the risk of fractures and makes it simpler for germs to enter the tooth.
Reinfection due to recent issues
The initial root canal therapy can be caused by further problems such as severe decay or trauma, leaving the tooth at risk for reinfection.
When your dentist and endodontist work together effectively, you will receive complete oral care that takes care of both general dental needs and specific root canal therapy, which is required for long-term, optimal dental health.
Why does it pain years after getting a root canal?
It is concerning when a tooth that has had a root canal suffers pain. Although the treatment decreases pain at first, years later, it can come back for a number of reasons.
- Remaining infection in the treated tooth is one common cause.
- After a root canal, jaw swelling may result in throbbing pain.
- The restoration that was put over the tooth can sometimes degrade with time. This makes it easy for the bacteria to enter and hurt.
- Further, problems like a broken tooth could result in persistent pain.
Symptoms of jaw infection after a root canal
Old root canal infection signs could include a few things:
- Jaw swelling after a root canal
- Sensitivity or pain when the jaw feels pressure
- Ongoing discomfort or a throbbing sensation
- Having difficulty fully expanding the mouth
- High body temperature or fever
- Bad taste or smell in the mouth
- Difficulty biting or chewing
- Redness or swelling around the gums or tooth that is impacted
Can an infected root canal be cured with antibiotics?
Antibiotics can help manage the infection and temporarily reduce symptoms when used to treat an infected root canal. However, it is not the only method of treatment.
Your doctor offers some of the best root canal treatments because they understand how hard it can be to cure infected root canals. Antibiotics usually work together with other therapies, while they may form a part of the strategy. These include root canal retreatment and endodontic treatment.
