
Six Causes of Pain After a Root Canal
- Six Causes of Pain After a Root Canal After incessant tooth pain brings you to the dentist, you learn the cause of your discomfort: you have a badly damaged or decayed tooth. ...
- Infection in the Bone Perhaps you had a perfect root canal performed. ...
- Infected Root Canal ...
- Cement or Air Forced Through the Root Tip ...
- Oversized Filling or Crown ...
- Sodium Hypochlorite Leak ...
- Missed Canal ...
Why you might still have tooth pain after root canal?
Why do I still have toothache after the root canal treatment?
- 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 ...
- Damaged or incomplete root canal filling. It is still possible for a tooth to get re-infected after the root canal treatment. ...
- Incomplete or missing root canal removal. ...
Why are my teeth sensitive after a root canal?
Why Does Pain Continue Months After a Root Canal?
- Infected Root Canal. Your tooth can become infected during the process of root canal therapy. ...
- Missed Canal. Sometimes an obstruction or curved root canal can prevent your dentist from being able to thoroughly clean the canal.
- Infection in the Bone. ...
- Cement or Air Forced Through the Root Tip. ...
How much pain will I have after a root canal?
While uncomfortable, any pain and sensitivity following a root canal should only last a few days. Since the pain experienced after a root canal is usually mild, you’ll likely only need over-the-counter pain medications for relief. These include acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB).
What kind of pain is normal after a root canal?
Usually, pain after root canal surgery is caused by the nerves in the surrounding teeth that were disturbed by the root canal treatment. After the procedure, they may still be inflamed or irritated, this is what usually causes a person to feel pain in the tooth.

What happens if you miss a root canal?
If the dental professional misses tiny, hidden canals or curved canals during the first treatment, the bacteria inside them may not be entirely removed and can cause infection. Immediately after the root canal, the dental professional often places a temporary filling to provide a short-term seal for the root canal before placing ...
What kind of dentist takes X-rays?
Your general dentist or endodontist will usually take X-rays to assess the condition of the tooth in question. The AAEnotes that endodontists are specialized dental professionals who have received two to three additional years of education to diagnose and treat infections inside the tooth.
How successful is an endodontic treatment?
According to a study in the European Journal of Dentistry, the overall success rate of endodontic treatment, such as a root canal, ranges between 86% to 98%. While the vast majority of treatments go smoothly , these statistics indicate that a small percentage of patients who receive an endodontic treatment develop further problems months or years later when old root canal infection symptomsreturn. Read on to learn why a previously treated tooth might become problematic, what symptoms you may experience and how an endodontist can help you through endodontic retreatment.
How to tell if you have a root canal?
When any of the previous circumstances occurs with your root canal tooth, you may experience a range of symptoms. Here are some signs that indicate it may be time to make an appointment with your dental professional, according to the AAE: 1 Sensitivity to hot and cold, or lingering pain after consuming hot or cold food 2 Sharp pain when biting down or when tapping the teeth together 3 Constant pain and pressure 4 Swelling of the gums, with or without the presence of a pimple-like bump near the tooth on the gums 5 A dull ache experienced consistently in the same area
What does it mean when your tooth is dull?
A dull ache experienced consistently in the same area. These symptoms indicate there may be an issue with the pulp of the tooth, which is the interior portion of the tooth treated by a root canal procedure.
What does it mean when your gums hurt?
Constant pain and pressure. Swelling of the gums, with or without the presence of a pimple-like bump near the tooth on the gums.
How successful is a root canal?
According to a study in the European Journal of Dentistry, the overall success rate of endodontic treatment, such as a root canal, ranges between 86% to 98%.
What is the best way to treat a tooth root canal?
During a root canal treatment, the dentist washes the tooth roots with sodium hypochlorite, a solution that kills bacteria, dissolves any remaining nerve tissue and washes away the slurry that accumulates during the process. In rare cases, some solution can leak out of the root tip, causing immediate pain, even with the area still numb. After the dentist flushes and dresses the area, you may need to take antibiotics and painkillers for a few weeks until the pain subsides.
Why do dentists cap a tooth after a root canal?
Once inside the root canal, bacteria can create an infection within just a few days. This is one reason many dentists cap the tooth with a crown after performing a root canal.
Why does my tooth hurt after a root canal?
If the final filling or crown is even a fraction too big, it hits the opposite tooth with too much force compared to surrounding teeth, which can cause pain after a root canal . Fortunately, this is an easy fix. The dentist simply needs to adjust the filling or crown to remove the high spot on the tooth, though the pain may still linger ...
How to contact Evanson DDS?
If you’re experiencing pain after a root canal, don’t wait for the condition to worsen. Contact Evanson DDS online or call us at (720) 409-0008 to schedule an appointment. Leave a reply →. Posted in.
How long does sensitivity last after a root canal?
According to Colgate.com, sensitivity around the treated tooth is normal following a root canal, but it should only last a maximum of three to five days. Dr. Evanson can provide medicine to reduce inflammation and get you through this period. However, if the pain persists longer than a few days, the procedure may have caused a complication.
Why is my tooth sensitive to cold?
If a nerve is left behind, your tooth will remain sensitive to hot and cold as it was before the procedure. If bacteria are causing an infection, the tooth will be sensitive to pressure. Sometimes, the spaces left for bacteria to reside in are microscopic and found in the very tip of the root.
Do you need a repeat root canal at Evanson DDS?
Neither problem will settle down on its own. You need a repeat root canal, preferably at Evanson DDS, where the experienced dental team uses state-of-the-art procedures to correct these types of mistakes.
Reasons for Pain Years After a Root Canal
If a root canal tooth hurts years after failure, it is often due to root canal failure or a cracked tooth.
Root canal failure
Sometimes a tooth does not heal completely, and the infection flares later. It can be challenging for a dentist to clean the infection from curved canals in tooth roots. If any infection remains, the tooth will become problematic later.
Cracked tooth
A specialist may recommend a dental implant for a cracked root canal tooth. Otherwise, repeat root canal may save your tooth.
