If you’re asking “why is my root canal tooth hurting after years past my surgery,” it’s important to get to the “root” of the problem. Root canal treatment can last for a long time, often even a lifetime. But, complications can happen and cause mouth pain. When pain does occur, it can come from a variety of reasons and has different treatment options depending on the type of complication you’re facing.
If you’re asking “why is my root canal tooth hurting after years past my surgery,” it’s important to get to the “root” of the problem. Root canal treatment can last for a long time, often even a lifetime. But, complications can happen and cause mouth pain. When pain does occur, it can come from a variety of reasons and has different treatment options depending on the type of complication you’re facing.
So, root canal therapy then becomes necessary, to remove the infection and provide a treated tooth that is then clear of infection and subsequent pain. This helps to prevent any further damage and provide relief to the patient’s mouth in the future.
If a root canal is supposed to last a lifetime, what causes a root canal tooth to hurt again? There are a number of reasons why you could deal with a root canal tooth hurting after years:
A failed root canal treatment is one of the most common reasons why you could have symptoms with your treated tooth. A root canal procedure only works if the canals within the root of the infected tooth are properly cleaned and sealed during the procedure. This includes removing all signs of infection and properly sealing it with a dental crown or restoration. When these aren’t properly accomplished, the previously treated tooth may face infection once again.
Root canal pain after years can also occur because of a cracked tooth. Cracked teeth, whether before or after a root canal treatment, can not only result in pain and sensitivity from pulp exposure, but also lead to infection, which can in turn lead to loss of the tooth.
If your crown breaks, similar to a crack in the tooth, it’s important to address this right away. From acidic drinks passing through to the treated tooth to food getting stuck, there are different ways that a broken crown leads to a repeat infected root canal. So, make sure you reach out to your dentist right away to replace any broken crown to get a new one and avoid future complications.
Root canal retreatment involves redoing treatment on the root canal to remove any infection that you might have, as well as resealing the canals. Because other treatments often involve removal of parts of the root or removal of the decayed tooth, retreatment is often the first option that dentists will recommend if it applies.
Apicoectomy, also called root end surgery, removes the tip of the tooth root and surrounding tissue. The same tooth then has its root sealed. Typically this helps to seal any chances of future complications.
In the rare event that neither retreatment or an apicoectomy solve the problem, then your dentist may recommend tooth extraction. Root canal failure isn’t something to take lightly, and if the root canal tooth gets badly infected to the point of needing extraction, then you need to get it taken care of as soon as possible. Once out, your dentist will discuss other options for filling in the missing root canal treated tooth, including dental implants, bridges, or partial dentures.
From regular checkups to help in an emergency, the dentists at West Wind Dental have all the answers as to why your tooth still hurts after a root canal treatment. If you think you might have a new infection in a root canal treated tooth, we can help with your new tooth infection and relieve pain. Reach out today to schedule an appointment!
Dr. Hamilton is an active member of several professional organizations including the American Dental Association (ADA), the Michigan Dental Association (MDA), the Kalamazoo Valley District Dental Society (KVDDS), the American Academy of Implant dentistry (AAID), the International Academy of Facial Aesthetics (IAFA) and also attends courses with the Pikos Institute in Northwest Florida. He is a member of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICIO), has achieved fellowship status in the International Dental Implant Association (IDIA) and in the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD), has graduated from and is an alumnus of the Kois Center program in Seattle, and is on the faculty of the Global Dental Implant Academy (GDIA).
The little spare time left over is spent Steelhead and Salmon fishing and the occasional round of golf.