Face Swelling After Root Canal Treatment

I had an infected tooth. Because of that, I had a root canal treatment done, but I’m not sure what is going on. I’m still in pain. Sometimes, the tooth leaks a bit like and puts a horrible taste in my mouth. Now, the area around the tooth is swollen. I don’t know what to do. The root canal was supposed to fix that.

Jenn

Dear Jenn,

While root canal treatments are the right procedure for someone who has a tooth infection, they do sometimes fail. You have a couple of options. The first is to get a root canal re-treatment. These sometimes make the difference. However, if you do get it redone, make sure that you see an endodontist. They are root canal specialists and you will have a better chance at a successful procedure.

Your second option is to have the tooth extracted. I would only take that option as a last resort. When you extract a tooth you also have to replace it. Otherwise the adjacent teeth will shift or tip into the empty spot. That will throw off your bite and is very likely to lead to TMJ disorder. Saving your tooth is always the best option.

Why Did Your Root Canal Treatment Fail?

You didn’t say which tooth it was, but if it is a back tooth, there can be lots of tricky canals in those. It would be easy for a dentist who didn’t have any expertise in doing root canals to miss one. Though, sometimes, there are canals that are almost impossible to get to.

Be aware that with every root canal retreatment, there is less chance of success. That being said, it is still a better option than losing your tooth. It’s also less expensive, especially after you have to replace the tooth.

This blog is brought to you by San Antonio Endodontist Dr. Scott Janse.
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