Infected Root Canal Treatment Options and the Early Warning Signs to Look Out For

Infected root canal treatment may seem daunting, but at Living Well Dental Group we aim to ensure all of our patients are well-informed, well-prepared, and receive the highest standard of care every time they walk through our door. And when it comes to a tooth abscess, we know it’s important to keep patients in the know.

That’s why on top of our fantastic dental treatment in Naperville, we provide extensive information, advice, and resources right here on our site. In this piece, we’ll explore infected root canal treatments, why you need to know about them, and the processes involved. Let’s take a look!

What Is A Root Canal?

The term “root canal” is a common shortening of “root canal treatment” or “root canal infection” – but it actually also refers to the pulp inside the teeth.

An infected root canal is when the center of a tooth becomes exposed and bacteria move in. In this instance, it may need the pulp removed or the tooth may need to be extracted. It’s important to act fast on infected tooth root canal treatment because once bacteria get inside the root canal of a tooth (the pulp), it is extremely hard to stop it from continuing to grow. Over time, the tooth begins to decay and may not be able to be saved.

“Can a root canal get infected?” is a question often asked by those who have already had treatment, and it could mean one of two things. In terms of the root canal itself or the center of the tooth, then yes. A root canal can get infected if there is a cavity or decay that has reached the center of the tooth, or if there has been trauma or damage to a tooth. It may also happen when a filling fails. Once bacteria find a way in, it can begin to infect the center of the tooth.

The question might also refer to a root canal treatment, which is a procedure that removes bacteria from the root canal system of a tooth. A root canal treatment can get re-infected – but thankfully, Living Well Dental has the best dentists, years of experience, and the expertise required to ensure the chances of that happening are very low.

What Is Dental Pulp?

Dental Pulp is the softest part of the tooth, and what is also referred to as the “root canal.” It is the soft center of the tooth that contains connective tissue, nerves, and blood vessels. This is the nerve in the tooth that causes pain when it is damaged, and it forms the legs of the tooth that travel right from the root of the tooth into the pulp chamber in the center of the tooth.

While the nerve is not necessary for the tooth to remain healthy, it is what allows you to sense temperature. A root canal treatment may remove this nerve if it has been compromised by bacteria, saving the tooth. In the worst cases, the root canal infection will be so bad that the tooth is no longer viable.

Infected Root Canal Symptoms

A root canal infection may occur not just from a damaged tooth, but after receiving root canal treatments. Early warning signs of a tooth infection after root canal treatment include:

• Pain when eating hot or cold food
• Pain when chewing or biting
• A loose tooth

Over time, these old root canal infection symptoms may disappear as the pulp dies. However, this does not mean the problem goes away. Eventually, the infection after root canal treatment will begin exhibiting new symptoms, which might include:

• Darkening of the tooth’s color
• Swelling in the face
• Pus oozing from the tooth
• Swelling in the surrounding gums
• Pain when chewing or biting

If you experience these signs of an infected root canal, or even if you haven’t already had a root canal treatment, you may be going through tooth abscess stages. It’s important to see a dentist as soon as possible to give your tooth the best chance of being repaired.

Infected Tooth Root Treatment

It’s natural to want to know how to cure tooth infections without root canal, and sometimes that is possible. One of our highly experienced dentists here at Living Well Dental can perform an initial examination to see if your infection can be resolved without root canal treatment, and this might involve a professional cleaning and tips on how to improve your dental health.

If you have already had root canal treatment, your dentist can also go about fixing the work that has already been done. Retreating an infected root canal means going back, opening the tooth, and removing the filling material that replaced the dental pulp. This is the best tooth abscess treatment for those who have already had root canal treatment and helps ensure the natural tooth remains healthy.

Treating an infected root canal refers to removing the bacteria and the pulp from the tooth. You may be able to achieve tooth abscess pain relief fast through medication, but treatment is required to ensure that the problem is solved and the pain goes away for good. Before beginning the treatment, a dentist will usually give you a local anesthetic to completely numb the pain while the appropriate treatment takes place.

Possible Complications of Root Canal Treatment

After receiving root canal treatment, there is always the possibility of complications. Thankfully, the expert team at Living Well Dental vastly reduces the chances of complications by performing any surgery or treatment to the highest of standards, but nonetheless, that possibility remains.

Gum infections after root canal are possible, which is why we stress the importance of properly maintaining your gums and practicing good dental hygiene after treatment.

If you experience an infection after root canal and crown, our dentists can take additional steps to prevent your tooth from needing further root canal treatment in the near future.

Naperville’s Top Dentists Can Handle All Your Infected Root Canal Troubles

Infections after root canal treatment can be painful, but they don’t have to occur. For root canal treatment done right the first time, or for help preventing future infections, trust Naperville’s best dentists at Living Well Dental.

Patients across the Chicagoland area trust us to provide the most comprehensive and effective infected root canal dental treatment, and we’re always happy to offer consultations before agreeing on a treatment path.

So for more information about potential root canal treatment, and to speak to a local expert, call the Living Well Dental Group today on 630-505-1516 or reach out online!