Severely damaged or deeply cavitated teeth require root canal treatment to eliminate infection and resolve the pain problems. In most cases, root canal treatments can resolve the problem successfully, however, some of the patients may still experience tooth pain after the treatment. Knowing the possible reasons behind can help you judge if your root canal treatment is a success or failure.
How long will the pain last after the Root Canal Treatment?
Sensitivity around the teeth is normal after the root canal treatment, but generally may only last for three to five days, and the dentist will normally provide medication to reduce inflammation and relieve postoperative pain. If the pain persists after several days, it may be a postoperative complication.
What is the cause of pain after the Root Canal Treatment?
1. Bone infection
Even if the root canal treatment is successful where the infected part is cleared, the filling seals the root canal well with the protection of a strong crown, however, bacteria can be lurking in the bone around the root and continue to cause inflammation and pain.
Fortunately, as the source of infection (inflamed and dead nerve in the tooth) has already been removed, the bacteria have nowhere to hide, and the infection will mostly be eliminated by the immune system in time. Your dentist may prescribe a course of antibiotics to help speed up the process.
2. Damaged or incomplete root canal filling
It is still possible for a tooth to get re-infected after the root canal treatment. When the root filling wears out, or fails to seal the tooth completely, bacteria in saliva have a chance to play tricks around the edges of the filling. Once inside the root, the bacteria can cause an infection in just a few days.
Pulp reinfection can usually be treated with root canal retreatment, unless the root is cracked or the tooth is broken below the gum line, and extraction may become necessary.
3. Incomplete or missing root canal removal
There are several roots inside the teeth, some of which are hard to spot, especially the molars. If an infected root canal is missed during the treatment, a little nerve or pocket may be left inside the tooth that allows bacteria to develop an infection. Even if all infected roots are identified, obstacles such as root canal curvature may sometimes be encountered, preventing access to the apex for a complete cleaning of the root canal. Bacteria are sometimes buried in very small spaces, possibly at the tip of the root tip.
If there is a missing nerve, the tooth will still be as sensitive to heat and cold as it was before the treatment. Teeth can be sensitive to pressure if bacteria cause an infection. Neither of these problems will resolve on their own and will therefore require the redoing of the root canal treatment.
4. Overfilling the root canal or extruding the apex with air bubbles
In the case of an excessive filling of the root canal, the dental cement used in the root canal treatment may leak from the apex, which may cause pain depending on the filling material used, the amount of exudation and where it goes. If the apex is already infected before the root, there may be room for a small amount of exudate, while if the apex is not infected, too much filling may cause pain after the treatment.
In addition, if tiny air bubbles are squeezed out of the root tip, pressure and pain can also be caused, but this is rare. Pain from overfilling the root canal or air bubbles out of the root tip will subside on its own, but it may take some time.
5. Bulging fillings or crowns
If the filling is too much or the crown of the root is too large, it will protrude from the other teeth and rub against the opposite tooth, which may cause toothache after the root canal treatment. The solution is simple, just have the protruding filling removed from the tooth or the crown adjusted by the dentist, and the pain usually goes away in three to five days.
6. Root vertical fracture
After the root removal, the tooth usually becomes fragile. If the crown is not installed, the tooth may be broken due to external force, or the tooth may be cracked. This can lead to soreness and pain when the teeth bite, and may have to be extracted in the end.
If pain persists, get rid of it as soon as possible
If there is still persistent inflammation or infection after the root canal treatment, please do not wait for the condition to worsen. Make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible, and perform a root canal treatment if necessary to save the tooth as much as possible.
