Why do I need another endodontic procedure?
Occasionally, a tooth may not heal as expected after initial treatment for a variety of reasons:
- Narrow or curved canals were unable to be treated during the initial procedure.
- Complicated canal anatomy went undetected in the first procedure.
- The placement of the crown or other restoration was excessively delayed following the endodontic treatment.
- 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.
- The tooth sustains a fracture.
What will happen during retreatment?
First, we will discuss your treatment options. If you choose retreatment, your tooth is reopened and the filling materials that were placed in the root canals during the first procedure are removed. In many cases, complex restorative materials-crown, post and core material-must also be disassembled and removed to permit access to the root canals.
After removing the canal filling, we clean and shape the canals and carefully examine the inside of your tooth using magnification and illumination, searching for any unusual anatomy that requires treatment. Any infection, is also removed at this time and new filling material is placed. The opening is then sealed with a temporary filling. After retreatment is completed, 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.
Is retreatment the best choice for me?
Whenever possible, it is best to save your natural tooth. Retreated teeth can function well for years, even for a lifetime.
Advances in technology are constantly changing the way root canal treatment is performed, so new techniques may be employed that were not available when you had your first procedure. Retreatment alone may solve the issue with your tooth, however, as with any dental or medical procedure, there are no guarantees. We will discuss your options and the chances of success before beginning retreatment.