Root canal therapy is a safe and effective procedure with a success rate of more than 95%. However, like any other medical or dental procedure, it can occasionally fail. This can be due to a loose crown, a dental fracture, or new decay. Root canals can fail soon after the procedure or even years later.
To help the root canal last, it's important to place the crown immediately after the endodontic procedure and practice good oral hygiene habits. In some cases, patients may experience symptoms such as sensitivity to cold or heat, swelling, or pain when chewing. If this occurs, it's important to contact a dentist right away. Root canal failure can be caused by a variety of factors.
These include cracks in the root area, an obstruction that makes it difficult to clean the root area of the tooth, and outdated technology used during the initial endodontic treatment. If traditional root canal treatment isn't enough to save the tooth, surgery may be recommended. When a root canal fails, the patient experiences an infection or discomfort that continues with the previous one or is new. The endodontist will need to reopen the affected tooth to regain access to the previous root canal filling.
To avoid both root canal treatment and endodontic surgery, tooth extraction is the last option.
