Teeth that have received root canal treatment can last a lifetime, with appropriate care. However, sometimes a tooth that has undergone treatment doesn’t heal adequately. This can cause a painful or diseased tooth months or years after the procedure. Fortunately, there is hope! If you have a tooth that has developed new issues or failed to heal, an additional treatment may be able to save your tooth. Let your dentist know if you have pain or discomfort in a previously treated tooth.
For retreatment, the endodontist will reopen your tooth in order to get to the root canal filling material. In order to access the root canals, restorative materials (the crown, post, and core material) often need to be taken apart and removed.
After removing the canal filling, the endodontist can clean the canals and carefully examine the inside of your tooth using magnification and illumination, searching for any additional canals or unusual anatomy that requires treatment.
After taking out the canal filling, the endodontist will clean the canals and look at the inside of your tooth. They will use illumination and magnification to look for any additional canals or unusual anatomy that needs treatment.
The canals will then be filled and sealed, and a temporary filling will be placed on the tooth. If the canals are too narrow or blocked, the endodontist might recommend endodontic surgery. The surgery consists of making an incision to make it possible for the other end of the root to be sealed.
When retreatment has been completed, you will need to see your dentist right away. This is because a new crown or other restoration needs to be put on the tooth to protect and restore it fully.