Endodontic Retreatment Procedure

Most of the times the root canal (endodontic) treatment is successful and the teeth that have had root canal lasts as long as natural teeth. However, sometimes a tooth that has received endodontic treatment fails to heal and it causes pain or can even get diseased in few months or even years after the successful endodontic treatment. If your tooth has not healed or has developed new problems, you always have a second chance. Your tooth can be saved with another procedure called endodontic re-treatment.

There are many reasons that make a tooth not heal as expected after initial treatment:

• Narrow or curved canals not being treated during the initial procedure.
• Complicated canal anatomy went unnoticed during the first procedure.
• Delay in the placement of the crown or other restoration following the endodontic treatment.
• The restoration failing to prevent salivary contamination to the inside of the tooth.
• New decay causing infection in the tooth by exposing the root canal filling material to bacteria.
• Tooth catching new infection may be due to loose, cracked or broken crown or filling.
• A tooth sustaining a fracture.

Retreatment Procedure at the Dental Specialists

In the retreatment procedure, our endodontist would need to reopen your tooth to gain access to the root canal filling material. In many cases, complex restorative materials – crowns, posts, and core material has to be disassembled or removed to permit access to the root canals. Once canal filling is removed, the endodontist can clean the canals and can carefully examine the inside of your tooth, searching for any additional canals or unusual anatomy that requires treatment.

After cleaning the canals, the endodontist will do the necessary filling and seal the canals placing a temporary filling in the tooth. Endodontic surgery may be recommended if the canals are found unusually narrow or blocked. This surgery involves making an incision to allow the other end of the root to be sealed.

After your endodontist completes retreatment, you will immediately need to have a new crown or any other restoration has to be placed on the tooth to protect and restore it to its full function. This will prevent bacteria from reentering the tooth. It is recommended to attend your follow-up visits with your endodontist so that your healing progress can be monitored.

If your tooth has failed to heal or has developed new problems, you have a second chance. Another endodontic procedure may be able to save your tooth. Contact us now and learn how you can save your natural smile.