TOOTH PAIN AFTER A ROOT CANAL is not a good sign. It is usual for the tissue around the root of your tooth to feel tender and sore after a root canal treatment. So, how do you know if you are healing as expected or if it is something you should be concerned about?
If your pain increases after treatment or returns after your recovery, then an assessment by Dr. Hancock can help work out any underlying causes. Read below for some important signs you may need root canal retreatment.
Tenderness
Once fully recovered from the root canal procedure, the tooth should not remain sensitive. If you feel tooth pain whenever you apply pressure to the tooth, something has probably gone wrong with your root canal. Inflammation of the surrounding tissues typically causes this problem.
Endodontists use something called a “percussion test” to check this symptom. These tests do not provide information about the pulp but indicate whether there is inflammation in the tissues. The percussion test is accurate in identifying and localizing the offending tooth.
Dr. Hancock begins by examining the tooth with the pressure of a finger to see if anything is tender. If it isn’t tender, he will have you try biting down on a cotton swab with the tooth, followed by gently tapping the tooth with a small blunt object.
Swelling
Once recovered, the area around the affected tooth should not swell. Infections are serious and need to be quickly addressed, and swelling is usually a sign of serious infection.
Swollen gums will always be sensitive and tender and may also begin to discharge pus. In some cases, an infection can develop at the root of the tooth.
By pressing a finger against the upper and lower gums, you can look for sore and swollen areas around the site of the tooth in question. Never ignore a problem of this type, you may need a root canal retreatment.
Sensitivity To Heat Or Cold
Sometimes, failed root canal symptoms will cause a person to experience hot and cold sensitivities. Extremes of temperature will result in a quick, sharp, and unbearable pain in the tooth.
Discoloration
To recognize a failed root canal, you should also understand the reasons for discoloration. When your dentist drills into your teeth, they remove all the nerves and the pulp of the tooth.
There will generally be a little bit of bleeding as the corrupted tissues are removed. This blood can seep into the root canal filling material. Because blood turns brown when it dries, tooth discoloration can be expected after root canal therapy.
The obvious answer to deal with this problem is tooth bleaching. Root canal-treated teeth require more teeth whitening treatments than your regular teeth. You may require internal bleaching.
Persistent Root Canal Pain
Pain is a normal side effect of a root canal. Still, suppose it continues to bother you long after the initial procedure. In that case, you should take it as a big warning that you need root canal retreatment in Raleigh, NC. Be especially concerned if you experience frequent pain with no apparent cause or if the pain grows steadily worse over time.
