Can a Root Canal Fail?

One of the most common questions a root canal specialist is asked is: Can a root canal fail? In this article, we address this question and talk about post-procedure care that can help you avoid complications.

Unfortunately, a root canal procedure can fail in some cases, despite generally having a high success rate. Some of the risk factors that might lead to root canal failure include:

The procedure is performed inadequately or by an inexperienced dentist. For example, if your dentist drills too deeply into the root, fails to clean out all the infected pulp from the canals, or improperly seals the canals, the tooth might become reinfected.
Some teeth can have curved canals or a complex canal system that makes it challenging to locate and clean every canal properly. As a result, even an experienced dentist can miss an infected canal and seal the tooth, trapping infection inside.
If the tooth is cracked prior to the procedure or develops a crack during drilling and is overlooked by the doctor, it may allow bacteria to access the tooth, causing it to become infected again.
If the tooth is significantly weakened by infection and its structure is compromised, the root canal can fail even if performed correctly.
Advanced gum disease is present, and the supporting tissue is compromised by infection.
The root canal therapy is performed too late, when tooth extraction would be a better course of action.

How to Avoid Root Canal Failure

To ensure that your root canal procedure and recovery go according to plan, we recommend following these tips:

Address the issue in time. Remember that the longer you wait, the more decayed your tooth and the tissue around it will become infected and inflamed, which, in turn, will lower your chances of having a successful root canal procedure and saving your tooth.
Check the reviews for your doctor and dental office before going through with the procedure. Of course, even an excellent doctor can have some failed procedures for reasons that do not always depend on them; however, the majority of the reviews should still be positive. Additionally, we recommend ensuring that the clinic and the dentist have all the necessary credentials and certificates.
Strictly adhere to the post-procedure care recommendations provided by your dentist. For example, if you are prescribed antibiotics, take the entire course of medication as directed. Additionally, attend all scheduled post-procedure check-ups.

Here are some of the most common post-root canal therapy care recommendations, given to most patients:

Switch to a liquid diet for a day after the procedure and then follow up with a soft diet for a couple of days.
Ensure that your meals are nutritious and provide all the necessary vitamins and minerals your body needs to regenerate.
Avoid chewing on the side of your mouth where the procedure was performed for a couple of days.
Chew gently when you resume eating food on the treated tooth.
Maintain impeccable oral hygiene by brushing your teeth thoroughly twice a day and flossing every evening. Be gentle when cleaning around the treated tooth.
Abstain from smoking and alcohol during your recovery.
Get plenty of rest during the day and aim for at least 8 hours of sleep each night for optimal recovery.
Avoid sports and strenuous activities for about a week after your root canal procedure.

Get a Root Canal Therapy at Turquoise Dental

Do not hesitate to make an appointment with an experienced endodontic dentist at Turquoise Dental. Our specialists utilize modern diagnostic and treatment methods, combined with high-quality materials, to deliver reliable results to our patients. We are looking forward to your visit.