How to Tell If a Root Canal Needs to Be Redone

A root canal is a dental procedure that involves the replacement of the pulp of a tooth, including the blood vessels, connective tissue and nerves in the soft tissue inside the tooth. If you have undergone a root canal in the past, it is possible that the root canal may need to be redone. According to Dr. Dan Peterson, about 70 to 90 percent of root canals are successful. This means the other 10 to 30 percent will need to be redone. It is important to know what it feels like when a root canal needs to be redone so that you can follow up with your dentist and prevent more severe dental problems down the line.

Things You'll Need

• Cold liquid
• Hot liquid
• Mirror
• Potato chips or crackers

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Instructions

• 1

  Touch the side of your face where the root canal is located with the palm of your hand. Touch the opposite side of your face in the same area with your other hand. If the side with the root canal feels considerably warmer in temperature, book an appointment with your dentist to check the root canal.

• 2

  Drink a very cold liquid followed by a hot liquid. If you experience atypical sensitivity to temperature on the side of your mouth with the root canal, your root canal may need to be redone.

• 3

  Check your tooth carefully in the mirror. Compare the color of the tooth with the root canal to the teeth surrounding it. Is it a gray or yellowish color? If so, you may need a new root canal.

• 4

  Check your tooth in the mirror for any swelling or abscesses around the tooth. If there is significant swelling around the tooth, call your dentist.

• 5

  Bite down on something crunchy, like a cracker or a potato chip. If it hurts to bite on the chip or cracker in the area of your root canal, you may need to have it redone.