Retreatment of Root Canals

After a root canal, you expect your tooth to last a long time and if infection returns, it can be disappointing and frustrating. Root canal retreatment can save your tooth from being extracted, relieve pain, and protect the health of your smile.

Benefits of Root Canal Retreatment

Virtually Painless

Infection and decay below the surface of your tooth can be painful. Root canal retreatment is virtually painless. Plus, the recovery is much more comfortable than a tooth extraction. Once treatment is complete, you can enjoy a pain-free smile.

Lasting Results

Root canal retreatment restores the integrity of your tooth and can prevent an extraction. Saving your tooth offers lasting benefits by maintaining the density of your jawbone and the natural strength of your smile.

Cost-Effective

Root canal retreatment is generally less expensive than replacing your tooth. If you opt to remove the tooth, you will need to pay for a bridge or dental implant to restore your smile, in addition to the price of the extraction.

Root Canal Retreatment Procedure

During root canal retreatment, your endodontist will:

Create a small opening to gain access to the root canals
Remove the filling material
Carefully examine the inside of your tooth
Clean the inside of your tooth to remove any infection or debris
Fill and seal the root canals
Place a temporary filling in the tooth

As soon as possible, you will need to return to your dentist to have a new dental crown or another type of restoration placed over your tooth to protect it and restore proper function.

My First Root Canal Didn't Work, Why Should I Do It Again?

If you decide against root canal retreatment, you will probably need an extraction. Once you lose a natural tooth, a range of other issues can arise. The remaining teeth will start to shift, causing problems with your bite and affecting the appearance of your smile. Without tooth roots, your jawbone will begin to lose density, affecting the stability of neighboring teeth and taking support away from your facial features. Jawbone deterioration can eventually cause facial collapse, which makes you look much older than you actually are. When possible, saving a tooth is always better than removing it.

While dental implants offer some great benefits, nothing looks, feels, or functions like your natural tooth. According to the Journal of Endodontics, non-surgical root canal retreatment has a long-term success rate of 83%. In reality, the only alternative to root canal retreatment is a tooth extraction. Most dentists will only recommend this route if there is no possible way to restore the health of your natural tooth. A tooth infection is a serious condition. Left untreated, it will only spread and cause more complex issues. Schedule an appointment to discuss root canal retreatment with a dentist today.