Question 1:

Why do root canal treatments fail?… What will be the solution to save the tooth again? [Are there] any good options?
Please share the good thoughts.

Question 2:

If root canal treatment failed – what will be next option to save the tooth?

Answer:

Today we had two similar questions from readers so we will address both.

Root canal treatments do not have a 100% success rate.  The success rate actually varies between 68% -95% depending on several factors involved including the presence of bacteria, the vitality of the tooth, etc.  A root canal treatment is just an alternative method to save a tooth when its pulp has become infected with bacteria.

Why do root canals fail?

They can fail for several reasons.  Some include:

• Bacteria left in the canal
• A “leaky” filling
  • This leaves pathways for bacteria to reinfect the tooth
• Missed canals
  • Sometimes teeth have extra or sneaky canals that aren’t easily found on an xray.  If the canal is missed during root canal treatment, there is a possibility of failure
• Systemic conditions
  • Other illnesses such as diabetes or complicated medical conditions can affect the success rate of treatment
• The tooth is fractured or have a crack

What’s the next step after root canals fail?

The reason of failure will determine the next step in treating a failed root canal.  Here are some options:

• Re-treatment
  • This includes removing the old root canal material in the canals (gutta percha), recleaning the inside of the tooth, disinfecting the inside again, and placing new material
• Apicoectomy
  • This is a dental surgery that involves removing just the tip of the root.
• Extraction+ replacement
  • If all else fails, the tooth can be removed and replaced with an alternative including a bridge, implant, or removable appliance.

Root canal treatments are a great way to treat a seriously infected tooth.  Unfortunately, some fail and other treatment modalities have to be introduced.  We hope this information helps in your understanding for treatment failures and alternatives.

Good luck,

SaveMySmile Team

Good luck!

I had a root canal done and it abscessed. I haven’t got it finished all the way yet. Can I safely pull the tooth, and be done with it.

Answer:

Now before you think about pulling the tooth, let’s think about some other factors that will come into play down the road.  Once that tooth is gone, the tooth behind it and the tooth across from it (in the opposite jaw) will begin to slowly drift into the open space.  This will cause the other teeth to drift also, resulting in open spaces amongst your teeth.  You will eventually have to replace the space with either a bridge, implant, or partial denture which are all pretty costly.

Root canal procedures don’t have a 100% success rate, sometimes they do fail.  However, retreatment is always an option and definitely cheaper as compared to some of your other options.  Being that your procedure wasn’t finished, the pathway for bacteria wasn’t completely blocked meaning it had an opportunity to repopulate or wasn’t completely removed.

If would be best, in the long run, if you were to return to have the procedure completed or retreated.  Yea, it may be cheaper and easier to pull the tooth now, but believe us, you may regret this decision down the road.

Good luck with your decision,

SaveMySmile Team