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Failed root canal negligence claims

While most root canal treatments go to plan, sometimes mistakes can be made. If you’ve suffered as a result of a failed root canal, you may be able to make a dental negligence claim.

At the Dental Law Partnership, we specialise in dental negligence claims, helping clients like you get the justice and compensation they deserve for a wide range of dental injuries, including restorative dental treatment gone wrong. We operate on a no-win, no-fee basis, meaning there’s no financial risk if you decide to make a claim. If your claim isn’t successful, you won’t pay us anything.

Think you’ve got a failed root canal claim? Start the claims process online today or give us a call on 0800 152 2036.

See if you have a case for dental negligence:

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How do I know if my root canal has failed?

It is perfectly normal to expect some discomfort after the anaesthetic has worn off after your root canal procedure. The procedure may irritate the area surrounding the affected tooth, which can make the area a little uncomfortable for a few days.

However, if the pain continues or worsens after two to three days, it could be a sign that there is something not quite right with the root canal.

Signs that your root canal has failed include:

  • Pain: The most noticeable sign of a failed root canal is usually pain. If a root canal is carried out successfully, there should only be mild discomfort for a few days or so afterwards, at most. If the pain continues or worsens after this, it can be a sign of the presence of bacteria in the root canal starting to cause an infection.
  • Sensitivity to hot or cold: If you notice that the area around the root canal procedure is suddenly sensitive to hot or cold, it can be a sign that you need to visit your dentist again to see if the treatment has failed.
  • Swelling: If the area around the root canal tooth swells up or is painful, it can be the sign of an abscess or another type of infection. It’s important to visit your dentist if you notice swelling or pus in the affected area of the mouth.
  • Pus or discharge: Pus or discharge around the treated tooth can mean that an abscess has formed, and this is sometimes (but not always) accompanied by pain in the root canal area.

Experiencing any one, or more, of these symptoms after root canal treatment is a sign that you should see a dentist at the earliest opportunity to treat the cause of any infection and see what can be done with the root canal. An x-ray at your dentist’s practice should show whether the procedure has failed.

Am I eligible to make a failed root canal dental negligence claim?

It’s important to understand that not every failed root canal procedure is a result of dental negligence – occasionally, things can go wrong even when your dentist has followed all the correct procedures.

However, if any of the following examples of negligence occurred, you may be able to make a dental negligence claim:

If you experienced any of these issues, and they caused avoidable pain, additional treatment costs, or long-term dental problems, you may have grounds for a dental negligence claim. Our dental solicitors can assess your case, help gather the necessary evidence, and guide you through the claims process.

Use our handy compensation calculator to find out how much you may be entitled to.

Start your failed root canal claim with the Dental Law Partnership and get the compensation you deserve

We know how distressing and costly it can be when dental procedures go wrong. If you believe your failed root canal treatment was caused by negligent treatment from your dentist, and you’ve suffered as a result, then you may be eligible to make a claim for compensation.

We’re proud to have been awarded the Lexcel Mark, which is only awarded to legal firms that demonstrate exceptional client care. What’s more, we’re a ‘no-win, no-fee’ law firm, which means that if your claim is unsuccessful, you will not pay any legal costs. If your claim is successful, a small percentage of the compensation awarded is used to pay our legal fees, and you don’t need to worry about the financial side of things.

Start your claim online today or request a callback from a member of our team.

Can I get a failed root canal redone?

Depending on the reason(s) why your root canal treatment failed, you may be able to get the procedure redone. If the failure of the root canal was due to infection because the cavity or root was not cleaned fully before being filled, you may be able to have this redone with a new root canal treatment. However, if the failed root canal has caused further damage to the tooth, there may not be enough stable tooth remaining for the procedure to be carried out again with a good chance of success. It is sometimes the case that the tooth may need to be extracted. Your dentist can discuss the options with you.

How often does a root canal fail?

If root canal treatment (also known as endodontic treatment) is carried out to a good standard, the success rate can be up to 90%. In some cases, good root canal treatment can save a tooth indefinitely, potentially for a person’s lifetime. Some teeth, depending on specific issues, may benefit from root canal treatment but, further issues down the line, such as the tooth cracking or developing decay, may mean the tooth requires further treatment, despite the good care of dental professionals throughout.
However, there are some circumstances in which root canal treatment fails due to the negligence of a dentist. Sometimes the infected pulp is not properly removed, the root canals not cleaned fully, or a number of other errors may occur. If the procedure fails to provide a long-term solution and the patient requires further treatment, this often results in extraction of the tooth entirely.

Does a failed root canal always result in extraction?

If you have experienced a failed root canal, there may be several options open to you, depending on the specific circumstances involved.

It may be possible to have a second conventional root canal procedure carried out, which, if successful, could potentially save the tooth.

There may be a way to treat the issue with a surgical procedure in some cases.

Extraction is usually the last resort for a failed root canal, but sometimes is the only treatment option left.

If you have experienced a failed root canal procedure that you believe was due to the negligence of your dentist, you may be eligible to make a compensation claim. Contact us to discuss your options and for free initial legal advice, on 0808 231 5116.

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