HomeAnswersDentistryroot canal failure

What to be done if a root canal fails, and is it painful?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I have been requested to have an apicoectomy on a tooth since the previous root canal treatment was unsuccessful. What needs to be done, and is it painful?

Kindly help.

Answered by Dr. Bhargav Reddy Gutha

Education:

MDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Bhargav Reddy Gutha is a specialist in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, dedicated to improving dental alignment and facial aesthetics. He has expertise in braces, clear aligners, corrective jaw treatments, and early intervention for developing malocclusions. Known for his precise techniques and patient-focused approach, Dr. Gutha combines advanced orthodontic care with personalized treatment plans to enhance oral health, function, and confident smiles.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Upon review, these were the findings-

Root canal treatment failure in the affected tooth, along with secondary infection.

Specifically, these need to be performed.

1. Reopen the root canal, clean the debris, allow for total infection to be disinfected, and obturation of the root canal again. This is one option. In your case, as you have been asked for apicoectomy, it is done to seal the root apex from the oral environment and does not allow reinfection.

2. There is a need to detect if there are any lateral dentinal tubules of the root that may have caused root canal treatment failure.

3. IOPA (intraoral peri apical radigraphs) of the affected tooth it required. If the root canal treatment done earlier was more than three months old, any reinfection could be seen on an X-ray.

4. Reopening of access cavity, root canal, and obturation after thorough disinfection. Disinfection is a must. Pain relievers could be used for pain.

I hope this helps.

Thank you and take care.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

The root canal is to be reopened and allow total infection to be disinfected and what needs to be done? Is it a long process, and will it be painful?

Answered by Dr. Bhargav Reddy Gutha

Education:

MDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Bhargav Reddy Gutha is a specialist in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, dedicated to improving dental alignment and facial aesthetics. He has expertise in braces, clear aligners, corrective jaw treatments, and early intervention for developing malocclusions. Known for his precise techniques and patient-focused approach, Dr. Gutha combines advanced orthodontic care with personalized treatment plans to enhance oral health, function, and confident smiles.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

An apicoectomy is not routine, and the procedure has to be approached by exposing the root apex, then cutting the root apex, and obliterating the exposed apex with filling to close from the oral environment and allowing the healing of the exposed procedural wound.

I hope this helps.

Thank you and take care.

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At March 9, 2023
Reviewed At June 14, 2024

Education:

MDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Bhargav Reddy Gutha is a specialist in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, dedicated to improving dental alignment and facial aesthetics. He has expertise in braces, clear aligners, corrective jaw treatments, and early intervention for developing malocclusions. Known for his precise techniques and patient-focused approach, Dr. Gutha combines advanced orthodontic care with personalized treatment plans to enhance oral health, function, and confident smiles.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Education:

MDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Bhargav Reddy Gutha is a specialist in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, dedicated to improving dental alignment and facial aesthetics. He has expertise in braces, clear aligners, corrective jaw treatments, and early intervention for developing malocclusions. Known for his precise techniques and patient-focused approach, Dr. Gutha combines advanced orthodontic care with personalized treatment plans to enhance oral health, function, and confident smiles.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Listen to related tracks in our music library
Comprehensive Second Opinion

Ask your health query to a doctor online

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.