Root Canal Retreatment
As with any dental or medical procedure there is a chance that a tooth does not heal as expected after initial treatment for a variety of reasons:
- Narrow or curved canals were not treated during the initial procedure.
- Complicated canal anatomy went undetected in the first procedure.
- 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.
For example:
- New decay can expose the root canal filling material to bacteria, causing a new infection in the tooth.
- A loose, cracked, or broken crown or filling can expose the tooth to new infection.
What will happen during retreatment?
If it is decided that retreatment is the best solution, we will reopen your tooth to gain access to the root canal filling material. In many cases, complex restorative materials, crowns, post and core materials must be disassembled and removed to permit access to the root canals.
After removing the canal filling, we will clean the canals and carefully examine the inside of your tooth using mag-nification and illumination, searching for any additional canals or unusual anatomy that requires treatment.
After cleaning the canals, we fill and seal the canals and place a temporary filling in the tooth. If the canals are unu-sually narrow or blocked, we may recommend endodontic surgery. This surgery involves making an incision to allow the other end of the root to be sealed.
After your retreatment has been completed, 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 its full function.
Is retreatment the best choice for me?
Whenever possible, it is best to save your natural tooth. Retreated teeth can function well for years, even for a life-time.
Advances in technology are constantly changing the way root canal treatment is performed and Upland Endodontic Group may bring new techniques that were not available when you had your first procedure.
As with any dental or medical procedure, there are no guarantees. We will discuss your options and the chances of success before beginning retreatment.
*Source: aae.org