What is a failed root canal?

A root canal is a common dental procedure aimed at saving a severely decayed or infected tooth. During the treatment, the dentist removes the infected or damaged pulp - the soft tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels - before thoroughly cleaning, disinfecting and sealing the root canal system. When performed to the expected professional standard, a root canal can effectively eliminate infection, relieve pain and preserve the natural tooth for many years.

However, not all root canal treatments are successful. A failed root canal occurs when the infection is not fully removed, or when bacteria re-enter the tooth due to improper sealing, missed root canals or other preventable errors. This failure can result in persistent or recurring pain, swelling, and the return of infection weeks, months or even years after the original treatment.

Root canal failure often indicates that the initial procedure may not have been carried out correctly or thoroughly. In some cases, this is due to dental negligence - such as inadequate cleaning of the root canals, poor sealing or misdiagnosis. When this happens, the result can be both physically and emotionally distressing, potentially leading to further complications, such as the need for retreatment, tooth extraction or more invasive dental work.

If you have experienced ongoing discomfort or complications following a root canal gone wrong, it may be a sign that the treatment has failed. Our specialist dental negligence team can assess whether a substandard procedure contributed to your condition and advise you on your next steps.

How to know if a root canal failed

Recognising the signs of a failed root canal is essential in seeking timely support and preventing further complications. While it’s normal to experience some discomfort or sensitivity immediately following the procedure, symptoms that persist or worsen over time may indicate that the treatment has not been successful.

Common failed root canal symptoms include:

• Persistent or returning pain: ongoing pain is one of the clearest signs of failure. This may present as a constant dull ache, sharp pain when biting down, or radiating discomfort in the jaw, face or ear. Pain that returns weeks or months after treatment is particularly concerning.
• Swelling and tenderness: inflammation or tenderness in the gums surrounding the treated tooth may suggest the presence of an unresolved infection. The area may feel warm to the touch, appear red or cause discomfort when eating or brushing.
• Dental abscess: the development of a small, boil-like bump on the gum near the treated tooth could indicate an abscess - a build-up of pus caused by infection. This is a serious warning sign that the root canal has failed and requires urgent attention.
• Tooth discolouration: a tooth that turns grey, darkens in colour or appears dull after a root canal may be showing signs of continued infection or the death of internal tissue.
• Sensitivity to temperature: if you notice prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks long after treatment, this may signal that the nerve tissue or infection was not fully removed.
• Loose tooth: an untreated infection can spread beyond the root canal into the surrounding bone, potentially leading to bone loss and a feeling that the root canal tooth is loose or unstable.

In some cases, there may be no noticeable symptoms. A failed root canal can remain hidden and only be identified during a routine dental examination or X-ray, which may reveal signs of infection at the tip of the tooth root or surrounding bone.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms - or have concerns following a root canal procedure - seeking medical advice urgently is vital. A failed root canal left untreated can lead to more complex dental issues and may require corrective procedures or even extraction. Our team at Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors can help determine whether dental negligence played a part and support you in securing the compensation you deserve.

What causes a root canal to fail?

Root canal treatment is a delicate and highly specialised dental procedure that requires precision, attention to detail, and a thorough understanding of complex tooth anatomy. While not every failed root canal is the result of negligence, many cases could have been avoided if the correct procedures and standards of care had been followed.

A failed root canal often occurs when infection remains in the tooth or returns due to an error during the initial treatment. These mistakes may involve missed anatomy, poor sealing or issues with restoration. In such cases, the failure may indicate that the dentist did not meet the expected professional standard, and this could form the basis of a dental negligence claim.

The most common causes of root canal failure include:

• Persistent bacterial infection: the primary goal of a root canal is to eliminate all bacteria from the infected root canal system. However, if the dentist fails to thoroughly disinfect the tooth - particularly in narrow, curved or hidden canals - residual bacteria can remain. These bacteria can later cause reinfection, pain and swelling.
• Missed canals: teeth can have complex internal structures, and some may contain more canals than expected. If one or more canals are overlooked during treatment, infected tissue can be left behind. This untreated pulp can continue to harbour infection, eventually causing the root canal to fail.
• Inadequate filling or sealing: a successful root canal relies on a tight, complete seal of the cleaned canals. If the filling material does not fully seal the canal - whether due to underfilling, overfilling or poor technique - bacteria can re-enter and infect the tooth. Gaps or voids in the filling increase the risk of reinfection significantly.
• Issues with dental restorations: following a root canal, the tooth must be properly restored, often with a crown or permanent filling. If this step is delayed, incorrectly fitted or not completed to a high standard, saliva containing bacteria can contaminate the treated area. This undermines the success of the procedure and can lead to new or worsening infection.
• Tooth fractures or trauma: after a root canal, the treated tooth can be more brittle. Cracks or fractures can develop that allow bacteria to infiltrate the root canal system again, resulting in failure of the treatment.

In many cases, these complications are avoidable with proper care. When a dental professional fails to identify key risks, misses steps during treatment or does not provide adequate aftercare, this may amount to negligence.

If you believe your root canal failed due to one of these causes, our team at Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors can assess your circumstances and advise whether you may have grounds for making a failed root canal compensation claim. We are committed to helping you secure the compensation you need to obtain restorative treatment and peace of mind.

What is the dental negligence claim process?

If your failed root canal was the result of a dental professional’s mistake, you should not be left dealing with the consequences alone. Dental negligence can have a serious impact on your health, wellbeing, and finances - and a compensation claim can help you recover the costs of corrective treatment, as well as account for the pain, inconvenience and disruption you’ve experienced.

At Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors, we are here to make the process of claiming compensation as straightforward and stress-free as possible. We take pride in offering a personal, efficient service with clear communication from start to finish - so you know exactly what to expect at every stage.

Here’s how the claims process typically works:

• Free consultation: your journey begins with a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our specialist solicitors. We will take the time to understand your experience, listen to the details of your failed root canal treatment, and assess whether you may have grounds to make a dental negligence claim. We will explain your options clearly and answer any questions you may have.
• Gathering evidence: if we believe you have a valid claim, we will begin gathering all the necessary evidence to support your case. This includes requesting your dental records, treatment notes and any X-rays or scans. We may also take statements from you or others involved. We will obtain an expert opinion from an independent dental specialist - usually an endodontist - to confirm that the standard of care you received fell below what is expected, and that this directly contributed to your pain or ongoing dental problems.
• Negotiating your compensation: once we have built a strong case on your behalf, we will present it to the dental professional’s insurer. We will handle all correspondence and negotiations, working to secure a fair and appropriate compensation settlement that reflects the full extent of your suffering and financial losses. In most cases, claims are resolved without the need to go to court.

From your initial enquiry through to the successful resolution of your claim, we are here to guide and support you with expert legal advice and genuine care.

What compensation for a failed root canal procedure covers

If you have experienced a failed root canal due to negligent dental treatment, pursuing a compensation claim can help ease the burden of both the physical and emotional impact, as well as the practical costs you may have incurred. At Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors, we understand how distressing it can be when a dental procedure goes wrong - especially one that was meant to relieve pain, not cause more of it.

Compensation for a failed root canal is designed to reflect the full extent of how the surgery has affected your life. A successful dental negligence claim can cover:

• Pain and suffering: you may be entitled to compensation for the unnecessary pain, discomfort and distress you’ve endured as a result of the failed treatment and any further complications that followed. This includes both physical pain and emotional distress.
• Corrective dental treatment: many people require additional procedures to put things right, such as root canal retreatment, tooth extraction or dental implants. Compensation can cover the cost of any restorative work you need to recover your dental health.
• Loss of earnings: if you had to take time off work to manage pain, attend appointments or undergo further treatment, your claim can include any wages lost as a result.
• Travel and related expenses: the cost of travelling to and from additional dental or medical appointments - as well as associated expenses, such as parking or childcare - can be included in your compensation claim.

Every case is different, and we take the time to fully understand how your failed root canal has affected you. Our expert solicitors work closely with medical professionals and dental experts to ensure your claim reflects your personal circumstances and provides you with the support you need to move forward.

How long will my claim take?

Every dental negligence claim is unique, and the time it takes to reach a resolution will depend on the complexity of your case and whether the dental professional’s insurer accepts responsibility early on. While some claims may be resolved in a matter of months, others can take longer - particularly if further medical evidence is needed or the case is more complex.

At Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors, we aim to resolve your claim as quickly and efficiently as possible, without compromising on the quality of your outcome. We keep you informed at every stage and manage the entire process on your behalf, so you can focus on your recovery while we work to secure the compensation you deserve.

Once we obtain independent medical evidence and confirm the extent of your injuries and financial losses, we are often able to negotiate a settlement without the need to go to court.

How long do you have to make a claim?

In most dental negligence cases, you have three years from the date the negligent treatment occurred - or from the date you became aware that something went wrong - to start your claim. This is known as the limitation period.

However, there are some exceptions. For example:

• If the person affected was under 18 at the time of treatment, the three-year time limit does not begin until their 18th birthday.
• If the person is unable to manage their own legal affairs due to a lack of mental capacity, there may be no time limit.

Because of these rules, it is important to seek legal advice as soon as you suspect something may have gone wrong. Acting early not only protects your right to claim but also makes it easier to gather strong evidence to support your case.

Our expert team is here to provide clear, no-obligation advice on whether you are still within the legal time limits to bring a claim.