Root canal therapy offers many patients a life-long solution to prevent further infection and tooth loss. While root canals have over 95% success rate, failure can occur. When this happens, you may need endodontic retreatment from Endodontics Associates of Georgia to give your treated tooth a second chance. If your dentist recommends a root canal retreatment, Dr. Damaries Candelario-Soto, Dr. Yanina Figueroa, Dr. Joseph Yoo, Dr. Shaletha Bolden, and Yasir Al-Drugh will care for you with comfort, precision, and utmost care.
What is root canal retreatment?
Root canals successfully treat infected teeth that would otherwise be extracted. However, like any other dental procedure, root canals have risks, and failure can happen. Often, this occurs when your tooth fails to heal or pain returns after months or years after treatment. When your treated tooth relapses, your tooth has to be retreated; otherwise, you risk widespread infection and tooth loss.
Why do root canals fail?
With proper maintenance, a root canal-treated tooth can last a lifetime. However, this is not always the case. Your root canal can fail because of the following reasons.
- Curved or narrow canals missed during the first treatment
- The patient delayed restoring the tooth with a crown
- A poorly fitted crown that didn’t prevent saliva contamination
- Complicated canals that were undetected during treatment
- New decay, exposing the tooth to reinfection
Failing to retreat your tooth may mean you lose your tooth forever. We bet no one wants this. If you experience lingering pain after a root canal or your dentist has confirmed you need retreatment, schedule an appointment with our endodontic team. We inspect and treat infections in the deep layers of teeth daily. Over the years, we have mastered the ins and outs of endodontics, and no case is too complex for us. By blending years of experience with cutting-edge technologies and training, you can expect exceptional outcomes for first-time root canal therapy or retreatment.
What should I expect from endodontic retreatment?
After inspecting your tooth, we’ll discuss treatment options with you. If your tooth can still be saved with another root canal, we’ll reopen it to access the filling material. Often, this involves disassembling the crown or filling and the core material.
Next, the endodontist will remove the canal filling and clear the canals, carefully looking for additional canals or unusual anatomy that needs special attention. Our doctors use surgical microscopes, allowing us to see the intricate details of the tooth’s anatomy with exceptional clarity. This allows us to identify and treat even the smallest canals and anatomical variations likely to be missed by the naked eye.
Instead of traditional instruments, we address your canals with the GentleWave® Procedure, which combines acoustic energy with fluid dynamics to reach and clear even the most complex spaces. Afterward, the doctor seals your canals with gutta-percha to prevent reinfections. The final step is to restore your tooth with a filling or crown.
Is endodontic retreatment a good choice for me?
Root canal retreatment saves your natural tooth and prevents widespread infections. Better yet, retreated teeth can function for many years or even a lifetime with proper care.
For endodontic retreatments that use the latest technologies to improve outcomes, call our Atlanta office at (770) 952-0195 to schedule an appointment with Endodontics Associates of Georgia. Alternatively, you may contact our offices in Kennesaw (770) 499-2102, Roswell (678) 503-5355, and Cartersville (470) 315-4886.
Meet the Doctors of Endodontics Associates Group
At Endodontics Associates Group, our board-certified endodontists bring exceptional skill, compassion, and advanced technology to every root canal procedure. With multiple convenient locations, our team is dedicated to saving natural teeth and relieving dental pain using the most biologically respectful techniques available, including GentleWave® therapy, CBCT imaging, and laser-assisted disinfection.
Each of our doctors is a specialist in diagnosing and treating complex dental pain, calcified canals, retreatments, and apical surgeries. We collaborate closely with general dentists and specialists to ensure seamless care and predictable results. Whether you're a patient in need of urgent relief or a referring dentist seeking expert support, our doctors are here to help.
Our mission is simple: preserve teeth, protect health, and provide peace of mind—one root canal at a time.