What Can Go Wrong with a Root Canal?

While most root canals go as planned, complications do sometimes occur. Some of the most common issues include:

One of the main reasons for a root canal is to remove infection from inside a tooth. However, if any bacteria are left behind, the infection might not fully go away or could come back later. This can happen if the root canals are not thoroughly cleaned or the tooth is not properly sealed after the procedure.

A lingering infection could cause continued pain, swelling, or the formation of an abscess.

Teeth can have multiple root canals, and in some cases, they can be difficult to detect. If a canal is missed during treatment, bacteria can remain inside the tooth, resulting in ongoing infection.

Missed canals are a recognised complication, but they may be avoidable with careful assessment and thorough technique.

In very rare cases, a root canal treatment can result in nerve damage. This may lead to symptoms such as:

• Numbness or tingling in the lips, tongue, or chin
• Burning or shooting pain
• Altered sensation in the face or mouth

While some nerve injuries improve over time, others may be longer-lasting. You can find out more on our page: Nerve Damage After Dental Work.

During a root canal, the cleaned canal is filled to seal it and prevent reinfection. If the canal is overfilled, it can extend beyond the root and irritate the surrounding tissue or nerves. Similarly, if the canal is underfilled, it may not be properly sealed, which increases the risk of reinfection.

Both scenarios can lead to pain or discomfort and may require corrective treatment.

Dentists use very fine instruments to clean root canals. Occasionally, one of these tools can break during the procedure and become stuck inside the canal.

This does not always cause problems. However, in some cases, it can prevent proper cleaning and sealing of the canal, increasing the risk of infection.

A perforation occurs when a small hole is accidentally created in the side of a tooth or root during treatment. This can happen if the canal is difficult to navigate or if excessive force is used.

A perforation may allow bacteria to enter surrounding tissue and could affect how successful the treatment is in the long run.

It’s normal to experience some discomfort for a few days after a root canal. However, if the pain lasts longer than expected, or gets worse rather than better, this may indicate that something has gone wrong.

Ongoing pain could be linked to:

• Infection that has not cleared
• Inflammation in surrounding tissue
• Irritation or injury to nearby areas in the mouth

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, you should seek help from your dentist.

While mild discomfort is to be expected for the first few days after a root canal, certain signs may indicate a complication.

You should contact your dentist if you notice:

• Pain that is severe or getting worse
• Swelling in your gums, jaw, or face
• Pus or discharge around the tooth
• A bad taste in your mouth that doesn’t go away
• Numbness or unusual sensations that last longer than expected
• Difficulty eating or speaking due to discomfort

These signs don’t always mean something serious has happened, but they do need to be looked at just in case.

Failed root canals don’t necessarily mean your dentist behaved negligently. Some complications are known risks of root canal treatment, especially if the tooth is difficult to treat or the infection is severe.

However, there are situations where things go wrong because the treatment wasn’t carried out to the expected standard.

For example:

• Not identifying all of the canals before starting
• Poor technique used during the procedure
• Not properly managing or spotting complications
• Failing to obtain valid informed consent before treatment, including not explaining significant risks or available alternatives 

If a dentist fails to provide an acceptable level of care and this leads to harm, it may be considered dental negligence.

If you’re worried about your symptoms after a root canal, the first step is to contact your dentist as soon as you can. Getting advice early can make a big difference and may help prevent things from getting worse.

Your dentist may:

• Examine the tooth and ask about your symptoms
• Take X-rays to see what’s happening inside
• Suggest further treatment or refer you to a specialist

If your pain is severe or your symptoms are getting worse, don’t wait to seek help.

If you’ve experienced problems after a root canal and believe they were caused by a mistake during treatment, you may be able to make a dental negligence claim.

To do this, you need to show that your dentist failed in their duty of care and that this directly led to your injury or complications. If your claim is successful, you may be able to receive compensation for the pain and distress caused, as well as any financial losses you experienced as a direct result.

At the Dental Law Partnership, we specialise in dental negligence claims, handling the entire claims process on your behalf so you can relax and focus on your recovery. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation and work on a no-win, no-fee basis

If you’re concerned about what’s happened after your root canal, get in touch with our team today to find out how we can help.