Four Reasons for Abnormal Pain After Root Canal Surgery

No one is happy to hear that they need a root canal, but if that’s the case it’s likely you are already in pain. Normally, the pain after a root canal will be minimal, if not at all. Unfortunately, there are instances where pain resurfaces. To help differentiate normal pain from abnormal pain, it is beneficial to understand more about the procedure.

A root canal surgery is performed when the pulp in the cavity of the root of the tooth is infected and it needs to be cleaned, repaired and sealed with a crown or a filling. Post procedure pain is normal for 3-5 days due to inflammation. This can range from a dull ache to a sharp pain.  If you experience pain for longer than 3-5 days or the pain went away and then came back days later, it could mean that you are having post root canal complications.

Here are four reasons for abnormal pain after a root canal:

Infection in bone:

As many know, the mouth is swarming with good and bad bacteria. Experiencing pain after the procedure could be due to infection in the bone. Since the root of the infected tooth has already been removed and filled, it is possible that there are still bacteria lingering around the bone of the tooth. Fortunately, this type of infection can be easily cured with a prescription for antibiotics from your dentist.  

Missed canal:

Some teeth have multiple canals in the root so it is possible that an infected canal was missed or undetected. If the dentist determines that there was a missed canal, then the root canal procedure has to be repeated. A repeat root canal is a little more invasive because the crown or the filling the tooth was originally sealed with must be taken out to perform the surgery again and this could risk cracking the tooth in the process.

Oversized Crown or Filling:

Speaking of crowns and fillings, it is possible to experience pain if the final crown or filling is too big or was misplaced. The pain comes from the crown or filling bothering the surrounding teeth or not being able to bite down properly. Luckily, it is very easy for dentists to fix this issue. All they have to do is adjust the filling or crown and the pain should subside in another 3-5 days.

Infected root canal:

If the dentist sealed the root canal with a filling instead of the crown, then there might be another infection due to saliva-carrying bacteria seeping in between the cracks of the filling and infecting the root canal. In this case, a repeat root canal would need to be performed. 

While complications from root canals can happen, it is important to remember that the risk of complications outweigh the risk of not getting the tooth treated in the first place. If you recently had a root canal, be sure to follow the proper after care steps which include brushing and flossing, visiting the dentist regularly and avoiding hard foods that can cause your teeth to break. If you are experiencing abnormal pain post- surgery do not hesitate to call your dentist or make an appointment to get it looked at. The sooner you have the dentist check to rule out or address a complication or infection, the better.

Everything you need to know about getting a root canal

Many patients ask us, “What is a root canal?”, concerned that it is a complicated and dangerous procedure that they may need. Getting a root canal can be daunting, however, it could save your tooth and prevent a lot of pain in the long run. A root canal is basically the process of taking out infected pulp inside the root of a tooth and cleaning the canals to prevent further infection. This infected pulp can be painful and may be caused by gum disease or something as simple as a chipped tooth or a cavity.

Root canal process

The first step of a root canal is getting an x-ray from your dentist. This will help determine whether or not the tooth is infected and where the infection is located. Local anesthetics will be applied after examining the x-ray and an opening is made in the crown of the tooth all the way down to the roots. Small tools are used to remove the infected pulp, clean the roots and reshape them. After the roots are given shape, the space is filled with a rubbery-like material called gutta-percha. The tooth is then sealed off with a cement adhesive and typically will be capped with a temporary filling. You will then come in for a second visit with the dentist in order to have a permanent crown put on and to check the tooth and gums after the procedure.

Misconceptions

A common misconception about root canal treatment is that it’s a painful process. Rest easy, the dentist will manage any pain and make sure patients are comfortable throughout the procedure. Also remember, a root canal relieves pain from a toothache. Many patients will say that they feel no pain from the procedure and that it feels similar to getting a filling. Another misconception is that root canals can make you sick or cause infection. It has been proven that a root canal is the best option to save a tooth from possible extraction and there is no evidence that a root canal will cause illness.

Additional Information

Over 40 million root canal treatments in the U.S. are performed a year, making it a fairly common procedure. Root canals are almost always successful in saving the tooth from extraction and most last a lifetime after undergoing a root canal procedure.

To prevent ever having to get a root canal it’s important to keep up with dental hygiene. This means brushing and flossing three times a day and regular visits to the dentist. It’s also important to get cavities filled, otherwise they could become abscessed and require a root canal.

The staff at Artistic Dental are experts in root canal procedures and will make sure to treat patients as they would their own family members. If you’re suffering from tooth pain, call and make an appointment for a complimentary consultation with one of our dentists at 602.840.5400.