Understanding the Differences of Good (and Great) Root Canal Therapy
Placement of permanent restoration or crowns on the infected tooth after the root canal treatment, regular dental check-ups, and impeccable hygiene are some of the great ways to maintain tooth restoration.
However, other factors may lead to severe tooth failure. It is worth noticing that the tooth canal system of a tooth is complex and may have high risk of being re-infected, especially if restoration of the tooth has leaked or patient fails to maintain proper oral hygiene. Sometimes the sealing material of tooth breaks down or degrades over time.
Moreover, if the patient does not follow proper dental care regime, he/she may develop gum disease o cavities on the treated tooth just like any other tooth in the mouth. Consulting your dentists and following dental hygiene are the keys to keeping the risk factor of failed root canal treatment at bay.
Another important thing that many people have little knowledge of is variation in root canal anatomy. Tooth’s canal comprises two canals called an accessory canal and a lateral canal. Radiography cannot help identify or observe the division of these canals. That what makes it difficult for the dentists to detect, clean, shape, fill, or treat the canals adequately. In such cases, one of these canals is left ineffectually cleaned or treated that provides bacteria a place to thrive and persist. This ultimately leads to root canal failure.
Sometimes the tooth is completely dead and does not receive nerve, blood, and lymphatic supply. That means there is no immune response to defend against potential oral problems. This, unfortunately, becomes an ideal condition for the anaerobic bacteria. These bacteria require oxygen-depleted environments to thrive and produce powerful toxins that can exacerbate the treated tooth.
Many studies have demonstrated that extracted root-canal treated tooth has pathogenic microbes. These microbes are often difficult to disinfect.
Symptoms of Root Canal Failure
As mentioned earlier, there can be several reasons of failed root canal treatment. The symptoms of root canal failure are not much different from an original damaged tooth that needs treatment. Here are a few of them.
· Sensitivity to Tapping and Pressure
Having persistent and discomfort after root canal therapy is one of the conspicuous signs. This discomfort can be outright pain and slight tenderness and often feels when closing or biting teeth, tapping, or applying pressure on the tooth. Experts also refer to this symptom as percussion.
· Swelling
Swelling is one of the common causes of a failed endodontic that many cases show. Swelling can be extensive and spread to a patient’s neck and face.
· Variants
In some severe cases of failed tooth canal therapy, a vent forms that drains pus and toxins from the infection. The lesion is sinus tract and becomes a persistent gum infection. Tooth discoloration and pimple on jaw are some more symptoms of failed root canal.