Endodontic Retreatment
quick, comfortable procedure
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Reasons for Retreatment
As with any dental or medical procedure, it’s possible your tooth won’t heal as expected after initial treatment for a variety of reasons, including:
- Narrow or curved canals were not treated during the initial procedure.
- Complicated canal anatomy went undetected in the first procedure.
- The placement of the crown or other restoration was delayed following the endodontic treatment.
- The restoration did not prevent salivary contamination to the inside of the tooth.
New Problems Can Jeopardize A Tooth
- New decay can expose the root canal filling material to bacteria, causing a new infection in the tooth.
- A loose, cracked or broken crown or filling can expose the tooth to new infection.
- A tooth sustains a fracture. During retreatment, the endodontist will reopen your tooth and remove the filling materials that were placed in the root canals during the first procedure. The endodontist then carefully examines the tooth, looking for additional canals or new infection. The endodontist then removes any infection, cleans and shapes the canals, and places new filling materials. The opening is then sealed with a temporary filling.The tooth should then be restored with a more permanent restoration to seal and protect it. In some cases the endodontist may be the one to seal the tooth more permanently in preparation for the general dentist to place a crown.
What We Can Do!
If root canal re-treatment is necessary, Dr. Carroll, will provide advanced anesthesia to get your tooth profoundly numb. While working with his assistant under a microscope, he will make a hole in the biting surface of the tooth to gain access to the root canal filling material. This old canal filling material will be removed in order for Dr. Carroll to properly investigate the tooth under the microscope. If no crack is detected, he will re-clean and shape all the canals, and most importantly, find and clean any previously missed canals that are the likely cause of the original root canal failure.
Once cleaned, Dr. Carroll will re-fill the canals and place a temporary filling in the tooth to further seal off the root canal system from the oral cavity. At this point, you will need to return to your dentist as soon as possible in order to have a new crown, or other restoration, placed on the tooth to restore full functionality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sometimes a tooth that has been treated doesn’t heal properly and can become painful or diseased months or even years after treatment.
Why do I need another endodontic procedure?
- Narrow or curved canals were not treated during the initial procedure.
- Complicated canal anatomy went undetected in the first procedure.
- The restoration did not prevent salivary contamination to the inside of the tooth.
In other cases, a new problem can jeopardize a tooth that was successfully treated. For example:
- New decay can expose the root canal filling material to bacteria, causing a new infection in the tooth.
- A loose, cracked or broken crown or filling can expose the tooth to new infection.
- A tooth sustains a fracture.
Is retreatment the best choice for me?
Advances in technology are constantly changing the way root canal treatment is performed, so your endodontist may use new techniques that were not available when you had your first procedure. Your endodontist may be able to resolve your problem with retreatment.
As with any dental or medical procedure, there are no guarantees. Your endodontist will discuss your options and the chances of success before beginning retreatment.
What are the alternatives to retreatment?
What will happen during retreatment?
First, the endodontist will discuss your treatment options. If you and your endodontist choose retreatment, the endodontist will reopen your tooth to gain access to the root canal filling material. In many cases, complex restorative materials—crown, post and core material—must be disassembled and removed to permit access to the root canals.After removing the canal filling, the endodontist can clean the canals and carefully examine the inside of your tooth using magnification and illumination, searching for any additional canals or unusual anatomy that requires treatment.
After cleaning the canals, the endodontist will fill and seal the canals and place a temporary filling in the tooth. If the canals are unusually narrow or blocked, your endodontist may recommend endodontic surgery. This surgery involves making an incision to allow the other end of the root to be sealed.
After your endodontist completes retreatment, you will need to return to your dentist as soon as possible to have a new crown or other restoration placed on the tooth to protect and restore it to its full function.
How much will the procedure cost?
While dental insurance may cover part or all of the cost for retreatment, some policies limit coverage to a single procedure on a tooth in a given period of time. Check with your employer or insurance company prior to retreatment to be sure of your coverage.
What are the alternatives to endodontic retreatment and/or endodontic surgery?
No matter how effective tooth replacements are—nothing is as good as your own natural tooth. You’ve already made an investment in saving your tooth. The payoff for choosing retreatment could be a healthy, functioning natural tooth for many years to come.
Information from AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ENDODONTISTS.
