I had an awful toothache under a tooth that a few years ago I'd had a root canal on. Just touching the crown caused pain, so I went to a new dentist and they said it was possible the root grew just a small bit. BTW, they weren't the ones who did the root canal.
I've never heard of that, is it possible?
2006-11-02 15:00:35 · 7 answers · asked by arewethereyet 7 in Health ➔ Dental
Firstly, a root canal cannot grow. Root Canal Treatment is a process where infected nerve tissue and bacteria is removed from the canal space within the root of your tooth. After the infected tissue is removed, that canal space is sealed with a rubber-like material known as Gutta Percha. This helps to prevent reinfection of the tooth. However, the success rate of Root Canal Treatment is about 86-90%. It is possible for the tooth to become reinfected and require Root Canal Treatment again. Often this happens if there is a missed nerve canal or residual bacteria that is still present. If there is no post in the tooth, then the tooth canal can be retreated with another Root Canal Treament; however, if there is a post in the tooth, the tooth may require a different type of procedure. This is a surgical procedure called an Apicoectomy, it is where the bottom of the root is cleaned and a retrograde filling is placed in the tip of the tooth. So to anwser your question, Yes, it is possible for a tooth that has had previous Root Canal Treatment to become reinfected! Hope that this proves helpful!
2006-11-02 15:10:54 · answer #1 · answered by Dr. Jon 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
What? A root canal cleans out the infected,dying, or dead nerve. Whether or not a root tip could grow more,(which I never heard of), would be irrelevant, because the nerve was either cleaned out well the first time, or not. And you would have known that right away. However, as my boss points out to patients repeatedly, just because the nerve is dead, doesn't mean the outer tooth is. Heat sensitivity is a sign of an active nerve, and cold sensitivity is felt on the outer part of the tooth that is still alive. There are several possibilities of pain now, the tooth shifting, making the crown seem too high,(hits opposing tooth too soon, before other teeth meet naturally), can cause awful soreness and pain....or a cavity in the live outer tooth,,,,,etc...BUT I'VE NEVER HEARD OF THE ACTUAL ROOT TIP GROWING MORE..........
2006-11-02 15:15:43 · answer #2 · answered by blue 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have been in dental for 5 yrs and done my share of Root Canals and I don't think that is is possible to grow new roots after a root canal has been done. BUT there could have been and extra canal that was missed during the first procedure. I would suggest that you see and endodontist, they specialize in root canals and have special equipment that can pin point the problem. Good luck
2006-11-02 15:07:46 · answer #3 · answered by Kimmy 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't know about the root tip growing back, but I had a root canal that failed. There was an infection under the tooth that was 'canaled' and the tooth split. I now have a partial.
2006-11-02 15:09:53 · answer #4 · answered by ginarene71 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had two root canals done and one of the tooth I had the root canal done on, started to hurt. But I learned that the root canal only lasts 5 years. Mine last to seven years. I never heard of that either but being that the dentist said it, it must be possible.
2006-11-02 15:06:42 · answer #5 · answered by the_kid21186 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
1
2017-02-20 11:41:22 · answer #6 · answered by Juan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. You probably have another infection. The other possibility, the crown has moved and is irritating your gums.
2006-11-02 15:06:51 · answer #7 · answered by SCORPIO 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes
2006-11-02 15:13:35 · answer #8 · answered by megan p 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I NEVER HEARD OF THIS IN DENTAL SCHOOL.
2006-11-02 15:17:53 · answer #9 · answered by Dr. Albert, DDS, (USA) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋