Why You Need Root Canal Retreatment and What to Expect During the Procedure

If you have an infected tooth that had a previous root canal, we can evaluate if your tooth is a candidate for a retreatment. Sometimes it is better to say “Good Bye” to your tooth and consider a different treatment plan this is why? We want to evaluate your case before we appoint you for treatment.  Unfortunately, a tooth that has undergone endodontic therapy may fail to heal properly and become troublesome months or years after treatment. Root canal failure doesn’t mean your tooth has to go but it means that further evaluation has to decide if it is a good idea to retreat. Endodontics Associates of Georgia can offer your tooth a new lease of life with root canal retreatment. So, if you have discomfort in a previously treated tooth in Kennesaw, Georgia, please talk to us about retreatment.

Why you may need another endodontic treatment

After undergoing an extensive procedure like a root canal, it’s natural to hope you never have to go through it again. Unfortunately, like most things in life, your root canal treatment can fail. But why? 

Your tooth may not heal as expected due to the following reasons:

• Narrow or curved root canals not treated in the initial procedure
• Delayed the placement of a dental crown after a root canal
• The treated tooth wasn’t adequately sealed from saliva contamination
• During the first procedure, the intricate anatomy of the canal wasn’t identified
• Hidden fracture that progressed after root canal
• Compromised immune system to fight infection
• Constant pressure on tooth due to clenching, grinding or bruxism

The issues above may not cause pain but can lead to a chronic infection that appears as a small black area in your dental X-rays. New problems, too, can compromise your tooth that was successfully treated with a root canal. 

For instance:

• A tooth fracture can allow bacteria to infect your treated tooth
• A loose or broken filling or crown may expose your tooth to infection
• New tooth decay can damage your treated tooth

What to expect during root canal retreatment

So, how do you know you need root canal treatment? Tell-tale symptoms like pain, tooth sensitivity, gum swelling, and a darkened tooth indicate root canal failure. Sometimes, you have no symptoms, but signs of a failing tooth can appear in dental X-ray images. Whatever the case, you need an evaluation to see if you are a good candidate for a retreatment.

Before retreatment, our endodontist reviews the risk, benefits, and alternative treatments. If your tooth can be retreated, we must “open it up” to access the root canals. Unlike the first treatment, this time, we must disassemble restorations, including crown, filling, and gutta-percha. 

During retreatment, we carefully examine your root canals to locate unusual or additional canals requiring treatment. Blocked or abnormally narrow canals may need endodontic surgery to treat and reseal the canals. After identifying the problem, we reshape the root canals, fill them with gutta-percha and restore your tooth with a crown. In some instances we have to bring you back a second appointment to continue with the retreatment. 

Your retreated tooth will look and function like a regular tooth.  With proper care, it can support your smile for the long haul. 

Your tooth deserves a second chance with root canal retreatment

Nothing looks and feels quite like your natural teeth. So, you must do everything possible to save your tooth. Do you need root canal retreatment in Georgia? 

Please call (770) 407-8778 to schedule an appointment with one of our experts. Our root canal retreatment services will help restore your tooth to its full form and function for many years to come.