"Shattered" root canal?

I had a root canal performed about a year ago. A recent x ray showed that the root had "shattered". During the healing process, I experienced severe pain for 3 weeks. I discovered (the doctor couldn't figue it out) that the tooth was "hitting high" once that was corrected the pain subsided. I am currently pain free from that tooth. Should I be concerned and is there anything that can be done for that tooth. Also could this be due to a root canal that was not performed correctly?

"Shattered" root canal?
The root canal was not done improperly. When you have a root canal done, the tooth and root become brittle because it essentially isn't alive anymore. Did you have a crown or any type of restoration on your tooth?
Reply:You may want an endodontist to take a look at this and advise you on what treatment to have in order to save the tooth. You may need to have an apicoectomy procedure preformed in the near future. Pain free now doesn't mean it will be that way forever, it could flare up on you causing an abscess later, if not corrected soon.





Let an endodontist evaluate this, he would be better able to tell you if the root canal procedure was preformed correctly or incorrectly. In most cases the procedure was completed correctly and this is something that just happened.
Reply:There is always the risk of a root fracturing as a result of root canal therapy. This may not mean the root canal was done incorrectly, it could mean that the tooth had been in poor shape when the root canal was attempted.





If this tooth is out of occlusion and you are hitting it too hard, the periodontia (ligament around tooth) will be tender. Releaving the heavy occlusion will eliminate that discomfort.





If indeed that root is shattered, there is no hope for the tooth. Ultimately, it will become infected around the periodontia. This infection is no treat and needs to be addressed. You can choose to have the tooth out now or wait a bit. It really isn't a good idea to wait until it is killing you. You may find that you are away from dental service (traveling) or that it hits at an inopportune moment (wedding day). Additionally, that infection is hard on whole body.





You may want to start stashing away money for a replacement tooth, either bridge or implant.





What you describe happens. It stinks, but doesn't mean that you suffered poor quality of treatment. Good luck.