While serious complications associated with root canal therapy are very rare, we would like our patients to be informed about the various procedures involved in endodontic therapy and have their consent before starting treatment. Endodontic (root canal) therapy is performed in order to save a tooth which otherwise might need to be removed. This is accomplished by conservative root canal therapy or, when needed, endodontic surgery.
Included (but not limited to) are complications resulting from the use of dental instruments, drugs, sedation, medicines, analgesics (pain killers), anaesthetics, and injections. These complications include swelling; sensitivity; bleeding; pain; infection; numbness and tingling sensation in the lip, tongue, chin, gums, cheeks and teeth — which is transient but, on infrequent occasions, may be permanent; reaction to injections; changes in occlusion (biting); jaw muscle cramps and spasms; temporomandibular (jaw) joint difficulty; loosening of teeth; referred pain to ear, neck, and head; nausea; vomiting; allergic reactions; delayed healing; sinus perforations; and treatment failure.
The risks include the possibility of instruments broken within the root canals; perforations (extra openings) of the crown or root of the tooth; damage to bridges, existing fillings, crowns, or porcelain veneers; loss of tooth structure in gaining access to canals; and cracked teeth. During treatment, complications may be discovered which make treatment impossible or which may require dental surgery. These complications may include blocked canals due to fillings or prior treatment, natural calcifications, broken instruments, curved roots, periodontal disease (gum disease), and splits or fractures of the teeth.
Prescribed medications and drugs may cause drowsiness and lack of awareness and coordination (which may be influenced by the use of alcohol, tranquilizers, sedatives, or other drugs). It is not advisable to operate any vehicle or hazardous device until recovered from their effects. Birth control pills are not effective when taking antibiotics.
These include no treatment, waiting for more definitive development of symptoms, or tooth extraction (to be replaced with either nothing, a denture, a bridge or an implant). Risks involved in these choices might include pain, infection, swelling, loss of teeth, and infection to other areas.