Will A Tooth Continue To Decay After A Root Canal?

Tooth decay is one of the most common problems prevalent in adults. It is observed that one out of four adults suffers from some or the other form of gum or teeth disease, which could range from mild to severe. Thankfully root canal therapy has advanced tremendously over the years and is the most effective solution for treating tooth decay.

People in general dread root canal or endodontic treatment therapy as it is infamous for being invasive and causing pain. But with the advancement of technology and novel techniques, the process has become much smoother and less painful over the years. Root canals have a success rate of more than ninety-five percent and, if properly taken care of, might last a lifetime. 

Let us dive into what happens in endodontic treatment when you might need it and know whether your tooth will continue to decay even after the treatment is done.

Who Might Need A Root Canal?

A dental professional is the best person to tell you whether your teeth issues need a root canal treatment. 

• Your dentist would use tools and X-rays to confirm whether you require endodontic treatment.
• Endodontic treatments are performed on teeth that are infected, injured, or have inflamed pulp.
• You can tell if you have oral issues when you have a toothache, increased sensitivity, swollen gums, discoloration of the front part of your teeth, loose or cracked teeth, pain while eating or touching the teeth, etc.

What is Root Canal Therapy?

When an infection develops inside the root of your teeth, root canal therapy is performed to remove the infected pulp from the inside and replace it with some restorative material. Endodontic treatment is no more as painful as it used to be; you can compare it to deep filling. Dentists use local anesthesia to numb the tooth and gums so there is little to no pain.

• Your dentist will first drill a small hole into the infected tooth to remove the infected pulp.
• The surface inside the tooth is then disinfected and cleaned.
• The dentist then puts a filling inside to seal the space.
• The tooth can later be covered with a dental crown to protect it from infection.

Can The Tooth Decay After The Therapy?

When a root canal happens, a crown is placed at the top of the infected tooth to protect it from bacteria and food you eat. 

• The natural tooth stays in place after this treatment.
• The therapy can make your tooth more fragile, so a crown is placed on top of it.
• Some people might still feel pain after the treatment; in such circumstances, you must talk to your dentist. The pain can have several reasons; one could be that the root canal did not heal completely.
• Pain after the endodontic treatment could also mean that the infection has not been removed correctly, possibly due to your root’s complex anatomy.
• Even though a crown is placed on the treated tooth, it is still susceptible to erosion if you do not practice good oral hygiene.
• Tooth decay can still occur around the edges of the treated tooth where the crown meets the natural tooth structure.
• If there is new trauma, damaged restorations, or deep decay, it could cause new infections.
• In rare cases, reinfection is possible if the treatment misses some extremely narrow or curved canals.

How Do You Know You Have An Infected Root Canal?

After this procedure, you would usually feel pain, discomfort, tenderness, or swelling in your tooth, which could last a few days.

• If the pain continues for more than a week, you should get in touch with your dentist.
• Pain or discomfort should be less than what it was on the first day on subsequent days.
• If your teeth feel discomfort when exposed to extreme temperatures, it could probably mean a re-infection.
• Contact your doctor if you find red, swollen, or warm tissue around the affected tooth.
• A bad taste in the mouth or bad breath could also be signs that the infection is not properly healed.
• A greenish or yellowish pus discharge denotes that the infection has either not healed or there is a re-infection.

How To Take Care Of Treated Tooth

Root canal therapy requires meticulous oral hygiene for its success.

• You must brush twice a day for two minutes and floss once a day regularly to keep your teeth free from bacteria and plaque buildup.
• Never miss your regular dental checkups so that your dentist can detect any oral issue early on and appropriate measures are taken.
• Limiting the intake of sugary and acidic foods is essential as such food increases the chances of tooth decay.

If you have got the endodontic treatment done and are wondering if there is any chance of tooth decay post-therapy, then the short answer is “yes.” But you can avoid it by following proper oral hygiene and keeping up with your dental appointments. If your tooth has got infected again after the treatment, then you would need to go for retreatment, i.e., a new root canal.