Six Reasons You Can Have Pain After A Root Canal

Do you have a damaged or painful tooth? You’ll be pleased to discover that endodontic treatments in McDonough, Georgia, can relieve pain and save your tooth. McDonough Endodontic Center blends cutting-edge technology with gentle care to achieve outstanding results with root canals. Visit our office today, and discover how our advanced care can ensure positive therapeutic outcomes.

Why do I have tooth pain after a root canal?

Root canal therapy removes infected or damaged pulp from inside the tooth. Far from being painful, it alleviates discomfort by eliminating the underlying cause. For roughly 95% of patients, the relief is permanent. But if you’re among the 5% who continue to experience tooth pain afterward, we can help. 

Here are reasons you may have discomfort after endodontic therapy:

1. Post-procedure inflammation: It’s not usual to experience mild pain after root canal therapy because of inflammation. This inflammation stems from the procedure’s manipulation of your tooth, causing swelling after treatment. Luckily, this inflammation subsides over time, relieving pain after a few days or weeks. 
2. Lingering infection: In this case, the doctor correctly diagnosed the need for a root canal. However, the pain doesn’t dissipate after performing a root canal because of lingering infection. In such cases, your McDonough endodontist uses advanced imaging and surgical microscopes to discover a crack in your tooth that wasn’t visible in the first place. We may also identify a lingering infection in a curved section of the root that wasn’t thoroughly cleaned during the initial procedure. Endodontic retreatment can resolve the infection and save your tooth from extraction. 
3. New infection: Your tooth can be re-infected after a root canal. Often, this happens when there are leaks in your filling or tooth, which causes harmful bacteria to infiltrate the tooth. Antibiotics can do little to treat a re-infected tooth. Your endodontist will suggest root canal retreatment or endodontic surgery, depending on the cause of the infection. 
4. An ill-fitting crown or filling: After root canal treatment, your dentist will restore your tooth to its full strength with a crown or filling. It’s natural to experience mild pain or sensitivity when you chew or bite. If this discomfort doesn’t disappear after a few days or your bite feels off, your restoration could be oversized. Visit your dentist to adjust your filling/crown for optimal function and comfort. 
5. Periodontal pain: Discomfort can originate from the gums and supporting tissues around the tooth. Problems like bone loss, exposed roots, or gum irritation can cause discomfort. Such symptoms often point to gum disease, so timely treatment from a periodontist is crucial.
6. Phantom pain: You may have heard of phantom limb pain—when someone feels pain in a limb that’s no longer there. A similar thing can happen in dentistry, where pain persists in a tooth even after removing the nerve tissue and pulp. The good news? This pain subsides as the tooth adjusts. However, contact your endodontist if this pain persists. 

Tooth pain treatment near me in McDonough, GA

Still experiencing discomfort after a root canal? Turn to Drs. Rolin Desir, Alison St. Paul, and Candace De Veaux for advanced endodontic care. We offer expert root canal treatment for patients of all ages. Call (770) 954-8672 to schedule your appointment today at McDonough Endodontic Center!