Reasons for failure
Why root canals can go wrong
- Incomplete cleaning causes bacteria to remain and infection to return
- Canals which are narrow, branching in multiple directions or unusual features mean it can be more difficult to remove all the infected tissue.
- Problems with the dental filling or dental crown.
- A cracked tooth following the procedure allows bacteria to re-enter.
- Poor oral care leads to tooth decay.
Root canal failure can sometimes be due to a dentist’s error, who might be held responsible, but it can also be due to a structural abnormality or unexpected development.
Other culprits of failed root canals could be salivary contamination, an obstruction, or even a traumatic dental injury.
Just because your root canal failed the first time does not mean a re-root treatment will fail, especially considering the percentage of failures lies between 2 and 14%.
