What Are Your Options If a Root Canal Fails?

In the rare event that a root canal fails, the thing to know is that you do have options. However, few root canals fail today because of advances in dental and radiograph (X-ray) technology. Having said that, it is important to know that the dentist performing the root canal therapy is well qualified to do so.

While all dentists do touch on root canals as a normal part of their training, some have specialized in root canals, making them experts in the field. In our experience, we have found it easy to identify why root canals failed and then explain what your options are based on our expert analysis.

You May Not Know for Years When a Root Canal Failed

Many patients come to us years after having a root canal procedure done somewhere else in New York City, or around the country, and ask us why they are in so much pain. The tooth is obviously infected, but that shouldn’t happen, should it? That’s a tricky question and one that deserves an honest answer.

The Purpose of a Root Canal

In order to answer that particular question, it’s important to understand the underlying purpose of a root canal. What the root canal specialist is seeking to accomplish is to drill through the roots to remove the pulp which contains the nerves and blood vessels within. Typically, the pulp is severely infected and although the dentist felt everything was removed, there is a small chance that even a bit of decayed matter remained. This was especially typical before modern technology and methods in dentistry. An exam of the tooth and a good X-ray will reveal if the root canal failed and then you will be advised on your options.

Extraction vs. Another Root Canal

At this point, there are two options which may apply, but not always depending on the state of the tooth in question. Sometimes it’s possible for the root canal specialist to drill into the root area once again, get rid of that soft pulp which was inadvertently left behind and then proceed to refill and cement the filling, with or without a crown. Sometimes it’s the lack of a crown that caused the deterioration of the root canal, so crowns are always advisable. Extractions are only the recommendation when the dentist feels the tooth is beyond saving.

Obviously, every attempt should be made to preserve the tooth to protect your bite, but if it’s not possible, an extraction might be your only option. If you feel you have a root canal that failed, contact us at your earliest opportunity for the greatest chances of saving that tooth. We are the root canal specialists most called upon in all of NYC because of our long and successful track record of saving teeth. Let us see if we can save yours. If anyone can do it, we can!