At Cascade Endodontics in Orem UT, we know that there’s a stigma around root canal therapy. We’ve done our fair share on this blog to dispel that urban myth. With modern anesthesia, root canal therapy is no more painful than most common dental procedures.
However, our team knows that there are exceptions to every rule. Sometimes, a root canal procedure can result in residual pain that lingers for weeks or months.
We’re not talking about the common tenderness associated with root canal aftercare. We are referring, instead, to long-lasting aches that no medication or at-home care can alleviate.
When this happens, endodontic retreatment is the best option for immediate relief.
Why Does This Happen?
Most long-term pain associated with root canal therapy is connected to improper healing. There are many reasons why your procedure might not have healed properly.
- Curved or narrow root canals went untreated during your original procedure. The root canal itself is the space within the tooth, where important nerves live. When you have small, hard-to-see root canals, it might be hard for your dentist to treat them effectively.
- The crown or restoration was not placed within the appropriate amount of time. If the dentist fails to place the crown quickly enough, or the patient does not return for a second appointment soon enough, the procedure can fail to heal properly. This causes pain and swelling.
- The crown or restoration did not keep saliva and bacteria out. If the crown is improperly placed, it can fail to prevent infection from saliva and food, which can cause pain.
- The patient did not perform proper aftercare. If you don’t brush or floss to keep your new crown or restoration clean, additional decay can occur, which can threaten the integrity of your procedure and cause the area to become re-infected.
- Injury caused a restoration to become loose or fall out entirely. If you are involved in contact sports, make sure to wear a mouthguard!
How Can Endodontic Retreatment Help?
By reopening the tooth to gain access to the previous material, our dental team can thoroughly re-clean the root canal. We will then re-seal the root canal with temporary filling.
At the end of your session, we will schedule a follow-up appointment to install a new crown or restoration so you can finally heal properly! All this is done under anesthetics and is no more painful than any other dental procedure we offer.
If you have long-lasting pain from root canal therapy, come to Cascade Endodontics in Orem UT. We guarantee safe, reliable restorations and will provide you with an aftercare program to foster the good maintenance of your new smile. Request an appointment today!
Jon Jenson DDS