Retreatment of Root Canal
Proper dental care and hygiene can help teeth with root canal treatment last a lifetime. However, there are times when a tooth may not heal properly after endodontic treatment. It can get diseased or painful months or years after root canal therapy. If such a tooth fails to heal or develops a problem, there is no need to worry. Your tooth has a second chance with Elite Endodontics. An additional procedure known as retreatment can be performed to help support healing and save the tooth. Talk to us if you have discomfort or pain in your previously treated tooth.
Need for Endodontic Retreatment Procedure
Root canal therapy or endodontic treatment is used to save the outer tooth when the interior tooth has become infected or damaged due to decay. It is usually expected that the same tooth will stay in good condition for the rest of your life. However, this is not an assurance because such a tooth may not heal as expected. The tooth may start failing and hurting after a certain period of time. Chances are that the tooth may also develop some new issues.
Some of the common reasons why root canal treatments fail are as follows:
- Delay in the placement of permanent restoration after a root canal procedure.
- Some patients may have complicated anatomy of the canals that are part of the root. Such complications include cured root canals, calcified root tips, and narrow root canals.
- Curved or narrow canals in the inner tooth were not properly treated due to their orientation.
- The inner tooth wasn’t effectively sealed off from saliva contamination, causing tooth decay.
- Injury to a root-canal-treated tooth.
- The restoration seals the tooth from getting loose or becoming dislodged.
While root canal treatment has a high success rate, it is like any other medical procedure. There is a minimal chance of infection or inflammation persisting for the reasons mentioned above. At Elite, Dr. Danni Sayman will provide you with helpful insights into the potential causes of the problem and the way it can be corrected. Typically, a root canal retreatment is the best solution for preserving such a tooth.
What to Expect During a Root Canal Retreatment Procedure?
Retreatment of the root canal is more complex than the original treatment procedure. Sometimes and for many reasons like calcifications, perforations, etc the tooth may require surgical treatment(apicoectomy).
First Appointment
During the first appointment, our endodontist will remove the previous root canal filling materials, disinfect the canal/s and either finish the treatment during that visit or place an antibacterial medication that will require a second appointment. You should further expect the following:
- We will close the tooth using a temporary filling material.
- If a second appointment is needed, the antibacterial paste is left in the tooth for a few days to reduce the bacterial content and provide the tooth with the ideal conditions for healing.
Second Appointment
During your second appointment, you should expect the following steps:
- We will remove the antibacterial paste
- The canals are cleaned and shaped
- New root canal filling will be placed
- A temporary filling is used to close the tooth’s opening
After the retreatment procedure, the tooth is vulnerable to infection or fracturing. This requires you to return to your general dentist for full tooth restoration.
Is Retreatment the Right Choice for You?
Whether you seek root canal treatment or retreatment of a root canal, it is always recommended to save your natural teeth. Extracting a tooth and placing an implant will never be the same as your tooth functionally and aesthetically. New technological advances keep improving the way endodontic treatment is provided, thus increasing the procedure’s effectiveness.
If you experience pain on a tooth that had previously received root canal treatment a long time ago, or if you have an abscess on the same tooth, you may need retreatment. It is also essential to know that abscesses can start small and may go unnoticed because sometimes there is no associated pain. This is why we suggest maintaining your scheduled 6-month dental check-up, whether you had a root canal treatment or not.
What to Expect from Us?
Our experienced and qualified endodontist can help you receive the best retreatment if you have a failed root canal. Dr. Sayman has treated many such cases and can deliver excellent results. We will work closely with you for a proper diagnosis before suggesting the best course of treatment for your tooth. We specialize in providing comfortable treatment thanks to our extensive experience and pursuit of continuing education that allows us to keep up with the latest techniques and technologies. When you choose our endodontic treatment solutions, you can remain assured about the quality of the experience.