Endodontic Retreatment

What is Endodontic Retreatment?

In a small percentage of cases, a tooth that has received treatment fails to heal completely or pain may persist. Occasionally, the tooth becomes painful months or years after treatment. If so, endodontic retreatment may be indicated. At Contemporary Endodontics, our Dental Team specializes in Endodontic Retreatment.

Reasons for Endodontic Retreatment May Include:

Curved or narrow canals that perhaps were not able to be treated during the initial treatment.
Complicated canals that went undetected during the initial treatment.
The crown or restoration not being placed within the appropriate amount of time following the procedure.
Bacteria present in the saliva re-contaminated the inside of the tooth.

In some cases, new problems can influence a tooth that was successfully treated:

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

Endodontic Retreatment Explained

The Retreatment Procedure

The endodontist will reenter the tooth to remove the original root canal filling material and then clean the canals while carefully examining the inside of the problematic tooth.

After removing the canal filling, the endodontist will search for any additional canals or unusual anatomy that requires treatment.

After endodontic retreatment, you will need to return to your dentist soon to have a new crown or restoration placed on the tooth for protection and restoration of full functionality.