Dentists and endodontists conduct root canal procedures to remove infected or injured tissue (called pulp) from the inside of the body and roots of a tooth. To access the interior of the tooth and the tooth’s roots, your dentist in NW Calgary makes a small hole in the tooth. Your dentist will extract all infected material from the tooth, clean the interior of the tooth, then fill and seal that tooth to prevent it from becoming reinfected. The goal of root canal therapy in NW Calgary is to eliminate the infection before it requires that your tooth be extracted and before the infection spreads beyond your tooth and into your jaw and body via your bloodstream.
As with any surgical procedure, there is a possible — albeit low — risk of developing complications after undergoing root canal therapy near you. The goal of this article isn’t to worry you — after all, root canal has a success rate of over 95% — but to help you to understand what to be aware of and to help you remain vigilant to ensure your recovery in the short term and the success of your root canal in the long term. There are four main potential, albeit rare, complications following a root canal.
Infection
As is the case with any surgical procedure involving incisions and extractions, there is a low risk that you will develop an infection following your procedure. After all, the reason you’re probably having the root canal in the first place is because of an infection. Your dentist may place you on antibiotics even before the procedure. If not, and if you notice any symptoms of potential infection — pain, fever, abscess, pus or swelling — contact a dentist near you right away so they can consider a prescription for antibiotics, re-treating the tooth or even draining the area of swelling.
A broken tooth
Once your root canal procedure is “done” and the tooth has been sealed, it’s not really “done.” Once you’ve recovered fully from the procedure, your dentist will place a crown over the treated tooth to restore its strength and structural integrity and to protect it further against re-infection. A treated tooth that breaks after undergoing a root canal often breaks because of delay in having that crown placed.
Fractured roots
An infection in a tooth serious enough to warrant a root canal can destroy tooth enamel in the body of your tooth and tissue in the roots of your teeth. In many cases, that damage to the roots of teeth is visible and taken into account in developing your treatment plan. In other cases, though, the cracks or decay affecting the roots of your teeth may be too small, fine or hidden from view to be taken into account. In the worst case scenario, that damage may result in fractures to the roots of teeth that had undergone a root canal. In those cases, you should discuss with your dentist or endodontist what treatment options are appropriate.
Numbness
The area around your treated tooth — including your gums — is likely to be inflamed, sore and numb immediately after your procedure. After all, it will have been numbed with anesthetic. If, after the anesthetic wears off, you experience numbness in the days after a root canal, let your dentist know right away. There are a couple possible causes for that sensation of numbness: if the material used to fill your root canal after the removal of infected pulp extends beyond where it was intended to go; or if the nerve in your tooth was bumped, punctured or bruised during the procedure.
You don’t need to worry about suffering complications following a root canal. You’re in expert hands while undergoing the procedure. Use this article to be forewarned and to be informed about the rare risks associated with the procedure.
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