Why might a tooth need retreatment?
A tooth that received root canal treatment can remain functional for many years, but healing is not always predictable. Pain or signs of disease may continue after the original procedure, or symptoms may return later.
Reasons for an incomplete response to initial treatment can include:
- Narrow, curved, or complex canals that were difficult to locate or treat
- Anatomy that was not visible during the first procedure
- A delay in placing the permanent crown or restoration
- Saliva or bacteria reaching the inside of the tooth before it was fully restored
New decay or a cracked, loose, or broken filling or crown can also expose the tooth to new infection.
What happens during retreatment
Dr. Moore reopens the tooth and removes the previous root canal filling materials. The internal anatomy is then examined carefully for untreated canals, unusual anatomy, or other reasons the tooth may not have healed.
The canals are cleaned, shaped, disinfected, and sealed again. A temporary filling is placed to protect the opening until your restorative dentist completes the permanent restoration.
Choosing the next step
Retreatment is not appropriate for every tooth. The amount of remaining tooth structure, the quality of the planned restoration, the presence of a fracture, and the likelihood of healing all matter. If nonsurgical retreatment is not the best option, Dr. Moore may discuss endodontic surgery, extraction, or another approach.
The purpose of retreatment is not simply to repeat the original procedure. It is to identify and address the reason a tooth has not healed.