Root canal treatment includes removing the infected pulp – the innervated part of the tooth. As a result, the tooth becomes non-vital or "dead," meaning it should no longer cause pain. Therefore, any pain in a previously treated tooth is a signal that complications have arisen.
Pain may occur either shortly after treatment or even years later. Possible causes include:
- Remaining infected tissue in the canal causing a secondary infection
- Undetected, incorrectly located canals that weren’t properly cleaned
- No follow-up X-ray to check the treatment's outcome
Retreatment is often recommended if the previous treatment was performed a long time ago. Just as in other areas of medicine, dental technology and treatment methods are constantly advancing. New tools, such as microscopes, modern devices for mechanical preparation and filling of the canal, can help save a tooth when the prior treatment was not successful.