What causes infection in a root canal filled tooth? The internally decayed teeth safeguarded with root canal treatment can also become re-infected. A root canal treatment involves cleaning the root canal by removing the nerves, tissues inside and fill the room with a resinous substance called "Gutta Percha". After a short while, a dental crown is bonded over the tooth to get back its actual look and strength.
Mostly, a root canal filled tooth does not cause chaos for years. Occasionally, the re-infection occurs because of various causes. In most of the cases, those infections can also be alleviated with a second root canal treatment. In this post, Dr.Kanagasabapathy the chief dentist of Lakshme dental hospital, Tirunelveli has addressed the common factors that trigger endodontic retreatment.
1) Infection is more extensive Most of the time, the infection starts with enamel weakening by bacteria and it travels towards the underlying dentin region. Later, the infection spreads to the pulp chamber with which the microbes affect the teeth roots. The progression of oral infection is averted if it is addressed in the earlier stage. Even Root canal Therapy will not provide the desired outcome if the infection reaches the sensitive layers which cannot be cleansed with RCT tools like excavators. endodontic burs.
2) Missed nerve tissue The root canal network is a complex thing and the nerves inside the pulp chamber are tiny. It makes removing the dead nerves inside the root canal a more complicated task.
To put it simply, the complex root canal network makes a dentist difficult to overlook at all the canals to detect the dead nerves. Such difficulties can cope with advanced technologies and microscopic equipment. It tends to ineffective root canal preparation that prevents the disinfectant solutions reach all areas of the nerve tissue to eliminate the bacteria present there. Later, the remaining microbes thrive and reoccurrence of infection takes place.
3) Cement leakage Apart from the depth of infection and intricate root canal network, the infection repetition in a root canal filled tooth comes with dental doctor's craftmanship. The tooth caps bonded to the treated tooth bring back the structural strength and protect the tooth from infection. However, the cementing agent with which the crown has been fixed begin to leak when they become old. It allows an entry for bacteria to infect the tooth's remaining portion and re-infect the root canal.
4) Broken files in the canal It is an unusual thing but happens at times even under the hands of expert root canal specialists. The newer generation root canal files (the tool used to clean root canal) are more flexible than the files used before decades. However, they also might break at times. Luckily, this problem can be fixed as quickly it is addressed else tooth removal would be the only option.
Bottom Line The range of pain you encounter in a root canal filled tooth is equivalent to the level of re-infection that took place. It can be addressed with higher success rates if you get treatment once you identify the progression of infection with signs like pain or swelling around the treated tooth.