The success rate of root canal therapy is extremely high – over 95%. Sadly, there is no such thing as a foolproof procedure, and even the most reliable treatment may occasionally fail. Will you have to give up on your tooth if this happens? Not at all! In many cases, an additional procedure called root canal procedure can give you a second shot at a healthy, fully intact smile. Read on to learn why a retreatment might be necessary and what you can expect to happen during the procedure.
Why Is Retreatment Needed?
There are two broad scenarios where root canal retreatment might be required. The first is that the tooth doesn’t heal as it was expected to. This can occur if:
- Hard-to-reach canals inside the tooth were not properly cleaned
- Parts of the tooth’s anatomy were overlooked during the initial procedure, meaning some infectious material was left behind
- A crown was not placed in a timely manner, allowing new bacteria to enter the tooth
The second is that the initial treatment is successful but a completely different problem arises later on, such as:
- New tooth decay occurs and allows a new infection to form
- The crown protecting the tooth becomes loose or cracked, exposing the inside of the tooth to bacteria
- The tooth itself is broken or fractured
What Does Retreatment Entail?
When root canal retreatment is selected as a solution for your dental pain, you may notice that the procedure is very similar to the initial root canal. The endodontist reopens the tooth and removes any bacteria and infected material found within. The big difference is that instead of removing dental pulp, they will be taking out the filling material that was previously placed. Also, they will take great care to check for additional canals or unusual anatomy that may have been previously overlooked. New filling material will be placed after a thorough cleaning, and a crown will once again be placed at a later date.
Is Retreatment Really the Best Choice?
If root canal therapy has failed, or a new infection has begun, your options are likely either retreatment or having the tooth extracted. Between these two choices, retreatment is the best path to take whenever it’s available. Saving a natural tooth is always preferable to replacing it, and when retreatment is performed by an expert, the tooth in question will be able to function well for years and possibly even the rest of your life.
As soon as you notice potential signs that your root canal has failed, call your endodontist and set up an appointment; they can examine your mouth and quickly determine whether you will need to undergo a retreatment in the near future in order to save your tooth once and for all.
About Our Practice
At Endodontic Associates Saratoga, three expert endodontists – Dr. An Nguyen, Dr. Frances Lee, and Dr. Sanfilippo – all combine their years of experience with the latest techniques and technology to help patients overcome toothaches and recover from dental infections. Your wellbeing is our top priority, and we always offer retreatment in the event that a new infection occurs after a root canal has failed. To schedule a consultation, visit our website or call (408) 255-6511.
