Why does my dead tooth hurt?

The function of the root canal treatment is to seal the way that allows bacteria from inside the tooth to spread to the bone. If the bacteria manage to reach the bone through the root canals they create an infection. That infection creates pressure inside the bone or when the tooth is being pushed on the pressure pushes on the abscess, which leads to pain. We can discover this process with a periapical X-ray. Since healthy teeth, with or without root canal treatment both have intact periodontal ligaments and bone surrounding the root in the radiograph. While teeth with failing root canal treatment often have some derangement in the bone which will be either, a limited widening of the ligamental space  or a dark area, a periapical radiolucency, on the side or apex of the root. This is the reason I take a radiographs periodically of teeth which have had a root canal treatment to preempt a painful episode and see if there are any teeth who can be saved, by treating the failing root canal treatment.

Other reasons for pain in teeth with a root canal treatment are cracks and fractures or periodontal disease.

If you would like to get your tooth examined after a root canal treatment that did not settle or is causing pain, please call Tooronga Family Dentistry, Phone number 98227006.