Endodontic Retreatment - A second chance to save your tooth 
Endodontic Retreatment - A second chance to save your tooth
With proper care, most teeth that have had endodontic (root canal) treatment can last as a long as other natural teeth. In some cases, however, a tooth that has received endodontic treatment fails to heal or the pain continues. Occasionally, the tooth becomes painful or diseased months or even years after successful treatment. 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.
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.
- A broken metal file did not permit the proper cleaning of the root canal.
- A perforation in the chamber or root.
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 recurrent infection may transfer from the root of a neighboring tooth.
What will happen during retreatment?
After a detailed examination and x-ray, our dentist will discuss your retreatment options. If endodontic retreatment is possible it usually occurs in the following way:
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Our dentist 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.
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After removing the canal filling, the dentist can clean the canals and carefully examine the inside of your tooth, searching for any additional canals or unusual anatomy that requires treatment. In our clinic all endodontic procedures are conducted under the microscope which reduces the possibility of not finding any additional canals to a minimum.
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After cleaning the canal(s), the dentist will fill and seal the canal(s) and place a temporary filling in the tooth.
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The last visit involves placing a new crown or other restoration placed on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function. More information on dental crowns.
Is retreatment the best choice for me?
Retreated teeth can function well for years, even for a lifetime. It's always best to save the tooth if your dentist believes retreatment is the best option for you. Advances in technology are constantly changing the way root canal treatment is performed, so your dentist may even be able to use a new technique that was not available when you had your first procedure. If your tooth has unusual anatomy that was not cleaned and sealed during the first procedure, your dentist may be able to resolve this problem with a second treatment.
Of course, there are no guarantees with any dental or medical procedure. Our dentist will discuss you options and the chances of success before beginning retreatment.
What are the alternatives to treatment?
For some patients considering retreatment, endodontic surgery is also an option. This surgery also known as a root resection involves making an incision near the end of the root to allow the tip of the root to be sealed. Endodontic surgery may be recommended in conjunction with retreatment or as an alternative. Your dentist will discuss your options and recommend appropriate treatment.
The only other alternative is extraction of the tooth. The extracted tooth must then be replaced with an implant, bridge, or removable partial denture to restore chewing function and to prevent adjacent teeth from shifting. Because these alternatives require surgery or dental procedures on adjacent healthy teeth, they can be far more costly and time consuming than retreatment and restoration of the natural tooth. No matter how effective modern tooth replacements are - and they can be very effective - nothing is as good as a natural tooth. You've already made an investment in saving your tooth. The pay-off for choosing endodontic retreatment could be a healthy, functioning natural tooth for many years to come.
How much will the procedure cost?
The cost varies depending on how complicated the procedure will be. The procedure will probably be more complex than your first root canal treatment, because your restoration and filling material may need to be removed to accomplish the new procedure. In addition, our dentist may need to spend extra time searching for unusual canal anatomy. Therefore, you can generally expect retreatment to cost more than the initial endodontic treatment. Prior to commencing retreatment our dentists will present an estimated cost.
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