Blog Post

A root canal treatment is done to save a heavily decayed tooth and for most people, it does the job. If there’s proper care given to a treated tooth, its effect can last for a lifetime. However, there are times when the tooth doesn’t heal properly or starts to decay. This will usually cause pain in the treated area. If your tooth becomes re-infected after a root canal treatment, don’t worry – there are other treatments available to help you out.

After talking to your endodontist, you may be eligible for endodontic retreatment. There are many reasons why you may need retreatment, for instance:

1. Narrow or curved canals were not treated during the initial procedure.
2. Complicated canal anatomy went undetected in the first procedure.
3. The placement of the crown or other restoration was delayed following the endodontic treatment.
4. The restoration did not prevent salivary contamination to the inside of the tooth.

If your endodontist and you agree to retreatment, the procedure can be carried out in a timely manner. In this treatment, your endodontist will reopen your tooth to access the filling material. If there is a crown fitted, it will require dismantling and reassembly. After this, they will remove the canal filing and re-examine the area to look for a probable cause.

The next step will be to put a temporary filling and you’ll be required to visit the dentist again in order to reassemble the crown or complete the restoration process. While this may seem like too much of a hassle, this is required to save the natural tooth. Retreated teeth can function normally for a long time and because of this, retreatment is seen as a viable option. 

Modern technology is pacing forward at a lightning speed and there are always new techniques and tools available that will make procedures simpler and better. If you wish to preserve your natural tooth then retreatment is an ideal option. 

As is the case with all medical procedures, do not delay a consultation with an endodontist. The earlier you go for a visit, the better it will be for you and your teeth. It is also given that a procedure does not guarantee any specified result. Before opting for endodontic retreatment, always have a thorough consultation with your dentist and take some time to think it through. 

By performing this procedure, you are increasing the life of your tooth and saving yourself from pain and additional complications in the future.