Can a Tooth with a Root Canal Get Infected?
Many people fear the day that they will be told that they need a root canal, having had a reputation as a painful procedure. But with the latest techniques, root canals do not have to be this way. Although it usually has favorable results, there are times when infections develop. Why does this happen? Read on as we take a closer look at this common dental procedure.
Why Get a Root Canal?
Your dentist will recommend a root canal once the decay on a tooth reaches the pulp. Made up of blood vessels and nerves, the pulp is the trigger for the pain. Sometimes, trauma can happen to the tooth which leads to discoloration or abscess. In these cases, even without a considerable amount of day, you might still need to get a root canal.
How is Root Canal Performed?
If you have an infection even before the root canal procedure, your dentist will prescribe you an antibiotic to treat the infection first. Having an active infection during root canal therapy can block the effect of the anesthetic. During the procedure, your dentist will remove the pulp, ensuring that the inside of the tooth is properly cleaned and sealed.
Is There Pain after Root Canal?
Expect some amount of pain following a root canal procedure; the intensity can vary from one person to another. You might also have some tenderness and soreness in your jaw because your mouth was open for quite some time while the treatment was ongoing. You will have no feeling in the treated tooth once the nerve has been removed.
Can Infection Develop after Root Canal?
Although it is not typical for infection to develop after a root canal procedure, there is still a chance that it can happen. Infections can appear a week or even years after. Some reasons include an undetected crack in the root, unseen abnormal canals that were not cleaned, a defective restoration that allowed bacteria to get in, and a breakdown of the sealing.
How is an Infection Treated?
Retreatment is the term used for a root canal that is treated for the second time. This is done the same way as a conventional root canal procedure. If this is not sufficient, a surgery called apicoectomy is performed, which relieves the infection from accessing the tooth’s bony area rather than through the top of the tooth.
Although relatively safe with a high success rate, we cannot discount the possibility of a root canal procedure going wrong and developing an infection. This is why it is important that you educate yourself and follow the doctor’s instructions. If you have any more questions about the root canal and its possible complications, talk to a reputable dentist in your area now.
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