Root Canal Retreatment
September 5, 2018
If you have a tooth that is infected, your dentist in Modesto, CA, may opt to perform a root canal to save you from pain, discomfort and additional infection. Sometimes, even after a root canal, the tooth doesn’t heal correctly and may become diseased and painful even years after the initial treatment. At that point, you may benefit from a root canal retreatment to save the tooth and encourage healing.
Why Is a Root Canal Retreatment Necessary?
While most root canals are successful, there are times when the teeth may not heal correctly for several reasons:
- Salivary contamination inside the tooth
- Delayed placement of the restoration device after the original root canal
- Curved or narrow canals that weren’t treated during the original root canal
- Undetected, complicated canal anatomy that was not noticed during the root canal
- New decay
- Broken, cracked or loose crown
- Fracture to the tooth
During the procedure, the tooth is reopened for access to the filling material used in the original root canal. This filling may be removed, then the canals are cleaned again, and illumination and magnification is used to examine the inside of the tooth. At this time, the dentist looks for any unusual anatomy or additional canals that require further treatment.
Once the canals are cleaned, they are filled and sealed, and a temporary filling is placed in the tooth. At this point, you’ll need to schedule a second appointment to place a new crown or other restoration placed as quickly as possible.
Is a Root Canal Retreatment the Best Choice?
In most cases, it’s important to do all you can to save the natural tooth. Once teeth have been retreated, they may not give you problems for the rest of your lifetime. There may also be new technology and techniques available as opposed to when your first root canal occurred.
If you feel you need retreatment on a root canal, call us today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Brewer. At Brewer Family Dentistry, we do all we can to save your teeth and give you a healthy, happy smile.