If there is one type of dental procedure that strikes fear into the heart of patients it is root canal treatment. Root canal treatment is used to clear out an infection which penetrates the root system at the very center of the tooth.

These infections usually occur as a result of bacteria that live in the mouth being able to invade the tooth. This is something that can happen if your teeth are very badly decayed, you have a leaky filling, or you have had damage to your teeth that causes very fine cracks through which bacteria can penetrate. If root canal therapy is not carried out, there is a strong possibility that you will lose the affected tooth.

The location of the infection means that the procedure to treat it is invasive. Although it has a reputation for being painful and unpleasant, and although anesthetic will be used, you may find that you are feeling significant discomfort after your procedure. It can also take a long time for your tooth to heal.

What is a failed root canal?

Failed root canals are one of the most common types of dental malpractice cases. A failed root canal is classed as a root canal treatment that hasn’t worked. It is not uncommon for root canal not to be fully successful after the initial clearing out of the infection is done.

This is why only a temporary seal is placed over the tooth and it is left to rest, with it being re-checked up to 10 days later to ensure that all bacteria have been removed and the infection is gone. However, if your dentist believes that the infection has been treated and seals your tooth permanently, only to find that the infection then reoccurs, the root canal is considered to have failed.

• There are several reasons why this might happen:
• Your dentist may not have removed all bacteria from the root canal.
• There may have been a fissure in the crown used to seal your tooth, the crown becomes damaged or it is placed too late. Each of these can enable bacteria to re-enter the root canal system and cause further infection.
• The inner seal, which is placed inside your tooth during root canal treatment, can erode enabling bacteria back into the root canal.

Signs that root canal treatment has failed

There are a variety of symptoms that indicate that your root canal treatment has failed. Many patients find that these are similar to the initial symptoms that they experienced when they first needed root canal therapy. These include:

• Dental pain
• Swelling inside your mouth and around your face
• Discharge from the tooth

If you experience any of these problems and you believe they are being caused by problems with the tooth that you previously had a root canal performed on, it could indicate that your initial treatment has failed.

If you have suffered a failed root canal treatment that you believe was a direct result of the negligence of your dentist, you could be entitled to compensation for the pain and suffering you have experienced and the costs of any further corrective treatment you have endured.

Our knowledgeable and dedicated dental malpractice team understand the devastating effects of poor-quality dental treatment and negligent care and will work on your behalf to help you obtain the financial settlement you deserve. Call Arizona Dental Law Group today at 602-833-4200 to learn more.