Despite any of the false myths or horror stories that you’ve heard about them, root canals are actually one of the best ways of salvaging a compromised tooth! A tooth that has undergone this therapy is essentially given a second chance at life; but only if you’re able to properly maintain it moving forward. That said, despite the relative success of root canal therapy, sometimes the procedure needs to be redone in the future in order to ensure its continued success. Keep reading to learn more about root canal retreatment and what you can expect during the process.
What Is Root Canal Retreatment & Why Is It Sometimes Necessary?
To put it simply, root canal retreatment is more-or-less the same process as root canal therapy; however, it’s being done to a tooth that’s already undergone root canal therapy but hasn’t properly healed. This failure to heal can be caused by a variety of things, including:
- Complicated canal anatomy – Infection-causing bacteria can easily hide in narrow, curved, or complicated canals that weren’t initially treated.
- Delayed crown placement – If there was a long delay between the root canal procedure and the crown being placed afterwards, bacteria might’ve infiltrated and attacked the vulnerable tooth.
- Salivary contamination – In some cases, the restoration may not have completely sealed the tooth, allowing for the possibility of salivary contamination.
- New decay – Sometimes new decay can form near the treated tooth, exposing the root canal filling inside to bacteria and causing a new infection.
- Restoration damage – Sometimes the crown or filling that’s placed after root canal therapy can become loose or damaged and bacteria can seep through, also causing a new infection.
- Tooth damage – If the treated tooth has become cracked or fractured, bacteria have a direct route to its inner layers.
What Can I Expect During Root Canal Retreatment?
Root canal retreatment is very similar to an initial root canal therapy procedure, although if it’s been a while since your root canal, the available technologies and treatment methods have probably been updated to make the process even more comfortable and effective.
Your dentist will numb your mouth before they begin. The next step is removing the dental crown (if necessary) and reopening the tooth, followed by removal of the canal filling and any other tissue that was previously untreated or is newly infected. Using a combination of illumination, magnification, and other equipment, they’ll carefully search for additional canals or anything else unusual that requires treatment.
Finally, the tooth is disinfected, refilled, and sealed up with a filling or crown, just like during your original root canal. After that, it’s simply a matter of practicing good oral hygiene and ensuring that your restored tooth remains healthy and clean.
Root canal therapy is highly effective, but sometimes it takes a second attempt to save your tooth and get your smile back on track! If you’re curious about root canal retreatment, talk with your dentist to see if it’s a viable option for you.
About the Author
Dr. Natalya Ramsay completed her dental doctorate at the Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry and has taken countless hours of continuing education in a wide variety of fields including pediatric, cosmetic, restorative dentistry and more. Her practice is proud to offer several available services including root canal therapy. If you have any questions or concerns about root canal therapy or would like to schedule an appointment, you can contact Dr. Ramsay through her website or by phone: (503) 472-1402.