Barone Family Dental
woman holding jaw from tooth pain before a root canal in farmington hills

Why Does Root Canal Treatment Fail?

January 22, 2024
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Posted By: Dr. Nick Barone
man holding jaw from infected tooth pain before a root canal

Root canal treatment is highly successful, boasting a 95 percent success rate. However, there are times when it fails, and we have to consider the options. Here's what you should know.

Why Would a Root Canal Fail?

Root canal morphology refers to understanding and knowledge of the anatomy of a tooth's inner canals, which is important for the successful treatment of a tooth infection. Proper knowledge of canal anatomy allows for adequate obturation, which refers to the method used to "clean" and eliminate infected tissue from the canals of the tooth, fill them with filling material, and temporarily seal them for healing. 

Successful obturation plays an integral role in the success or failure of root canal treatment, as overfilling or underfilling the canal can cause the treatment to fail. At Barone Family Dental, we sometimes see patients from other providers who are still experiencing discomfort from previous root canal treatment that can be a result of failed obturation. 

How Do We Handle Root Canal Failures in Farmington Hills?

It's important to understand that infected canals within your tooth will not heal independently. Therefore, if you've had root canal treatment and you're still experiencing discomfort, it's important to seek help from an experienced Farmington Hills dentist like Dr. Barone, who can identify and diagnose problems like failed root canals. 

There are a few options we can consider to care for your tooth after root canal failure:

  • Retreatment—Sometimes, a tooth needs a root canal retreatment to ensure success. This is typically the first option we'll consider. 
  • Apicoectomy—This procedure removes the tip of the root to eliminate any more infected tissues within the tooth. 
  • Extraction—In some cases, removing a tooth is the healthiest option to completely eliminate infection. Dr. Barone will review your options for tooth replacement, like a dental implant, if you need tooth extraction.

Are You Still Experiencing Discomfort After Root Canal Treatment?

If you're in Farmington Hills, MI, seeking a "dentist near me" to help with tooth discomfort after root canal treatment, look no further than Barone Family Dental! Let us help alleviate your discomfort. Contact our team at (248) 855-1277 to book an evaluation with Dr. Barone. 

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