Root Canal Retreatment

When a tooth that has previously undergone root canal treatment fails to heal properly or develops new problems, retreatment may be the best option to save it. With proper care, a tooth that has been retreated can last a lifetime.

Why Would a Tooth Need Retreatment?

Root canal treatment has a high success rate, but occasionally a treated tooth does not heal as expected or may become painful or diseased months or even years after successful treatment. When this occurs, retreatment is often the recommended course of action.

There are several reasons why a previously treated tooth may fail to heal:

• Narrow or curved canals were not treated during the initial procedure
• Complicated canal anatomy went undetected during the first treatment
• 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

In other cases, a new problem can jeopardize a tooth that was successfully treated:

• New decay can expose the root canal filling material to bacteria, causing a new infection
• A loose, cracked, or broken crown or filling can expose the tooth to new infection
• A tooth sustains a fracture

What Does Retreatment Involve?

Dr. Campbell will reopen the tooth to gain access to the root canal filling material. In many cases, complex restorative materials — such as crowns, posts, and core material — must be disassembled and removed to provide access to the root canals.

After removing the canal filling, Dr. Campbell will carefully clean the canals and examine the inside of the tooth using magnification and illumination, looking for any additional canals or unusual anatomy that requires treatment.

After cleaning the canals, Dr. Campbell will fill and seal the canals and place a temporary filling in the tooth. At this point, 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 full function.

Is Retreatment Always Possible?

In some cases, retreatment may not be the best option. If the canals are blocked, the root is fractured, the tooth does not have adequate bone support, or the tooth cannot be restored, endodontic surgery may be considered. In other cases, extraction of the tooth may be recommended. Dr. Campbell will discuss all available options with you so you can make an informed decision.

Retreatment vs. Extraction

Saving your natural tooth, if possible, is always the best option. Nothing artificial can fully replace the look, feel, and function of a natural tooth. Endodontic retreatment is generally less costly than tooth extraction and replacement with an implant or bridge. If you are a candidate for retreatment, Dr. Campbell will recommend it as the preferred course of action.