“Can a tooth that had a root canal get infected?”
I am a 24 year old male. I want to know if a tooth that had a root canal can get infected?
16 Answers
Yes
Yes.
Yes, the tooth needs follow up care after a root canal treatment to fully seal the tooth. And the tooth should be evaluated by your dentist at your regular 6-month cleaning appointments.
When a root canal is performed the doctor removes the root of the tooth and places medication to remove the infection, if the patient is not careful and doesn't maintain a good oral health then they may get yet another infection and another root canal would have to be done or the tooth would have to be extracted.
Yes, it can, especially if there is a missed canal or leakage, or if the tooth was not crowned fast enough.
Hello,
Yes, a tooth that has had a root canal can get infected. A root canal removes all the stuff on the inside of the tooth (blood vessels, nerve, and bacteria). During this procedure, an antiseptic is used to kill off any bacteria or organic matter. At the end of the procedure a filling material is put into each one of the canals to seal it off. After the root canal is done, it is common to put in what is called a "core build up." This is to seal off the top part of the tooth. After this, a tooth can get infected in two main ways: 1) one of these seals fails and bacteria gets inside the tooth. Eventually, the immune system will recognize this infection and start fighting (losing the battle). This will usually cause an abscess, pain or both. 2) a bacterial cell inside one of the canals can become active. Usually, bacterial cells are killed; however, getting all of them is next to impossible (even Listerine can only kill 99.9%). These cells form spores and lay dormant for decades. Sometimes they can re-activate. The other way a root canal tooth can get re-infected is by a cavity. You can still get a cavity in a tooth that has a root canal. This will only get noticed by going to regular appointments for check-ups. This is because after the root canal, there is no nerve left in the tooth so you should not feel pain from a cavity.
Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Yes, a tooth that has had a root canal can get infected. A root canal removes all the stuff on the inside of the tooth (blood vessels, nerve, and bacteria). During this procedure, an antiseptic is used to kill off any bacteria or organic matter. At the end of the procedure a filling material is put into each one of the canals to seal it off. After the root canal is done, it is common to put in what is called a "core build up." This is to seal off the top part of the tooth. After this, a tooth can get infected in two main ways: 1) one of these seals fails and bacteria gets inside the tooth. Eventually, the immune system will recognize this infection and start fighting (losing the battle). This will usually cause an abscess, pain or both. 2) a bacterial cell inside one of the canals can become active. Usually, bacterial cells are killed; however, getting all of them is next to impossible (even Listerine can only kill 99.9%). These cells form spores and lay dormant for decades. Sometimes they can re-activate. The other way a root canal tooth can get re-infected is by a cavity. You can still get a cavity in a tooth that has a root canal. This will only get noticed by going to regular appointments for check-ups. This is because after the root canal, there is no nerve left in the tooth so you should not feel pain from a cavity.
Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
There are two main ways your root canned tooth could get infected. First if the tooth does not have a filling or a crown covering up the root canal procedure, then the bacteria can re-enter your tooth and eventurally cause an infection athe the end of the root. Second, unlike our simple idea of a root canal, the nerve inside your tooth is not just one long nerve inside each root. It has many branches that even the best technology of today cannot be discoverd. Given this fact, we try to remove all of the nerve tissue inside the root canal and stop up the canal with rubber much like a cork stops up a bottle. The trick here is the removal of all of the nerve tissue inside the root. If any is left behind then it can decompose into pus and this bacteria can go out the end of the root and cause a mostly unknown and undetected infection until it is discovered by an xray or thru the eventual pain you will eventually have. The more experienced the dentist has and with the use of technology, the more likely all of the nerve tissue will be removed to the extent you will not get your root canaled tooth infected.
Yes. Possibly an existing old infection.
Yes. Root canal treated teeth are still at risk for reinfection.
Yes, If the root canal was not properly treated and therefore not properly filled /sealed it would be a haven for a bacterial infection.
Yes. Root canals may fail mid the bacteria finds its way from the canal into the Periapical area and forms an abscess. But no worries. It can be easily fixed with a root canal re-treatment.
Behnaz Garemani, DDS
Behnaz Garemani, DDS
Yes. Like any other area of infection that has been treated, teeth that have had RCT can become reinfected.
Yes. It can get infected and also it can get a recurrent cavity. Also, despite the understanding that it has no nerve, root canal teeth can feel hurt and pain. It does not mean it is the end of the tooth life. It means your doctor has to help.
If done properly it very unlikely. However if the tooth's not properly restored, it can happen as it can become compromised via saliva, etc, getting into the canals.
Yes a tooth that has had a root canal can get infected if it is not properly sealed and restored.
YES
