More often than not, teeth that have received root canal therapy can last decades when properly cared for. In fact, they can even last the rest of your life with the right at-home maintenance and routine dental checkups. Unfortunately, there are instances where root canal retreatment is needed months and even years after the procedure was completed. It’s best to look at retreatment not as a setback, but as a second chance for your tooth. Learn about the most common reasons retreatment is performed and what to expect at your appointment!
Why Do I Need Retreatment?
Root canal therapy is designed to remove infected pulp from the inside of the root canal where the tooth root sits as well as replace missing material for the tooth to heal inside of. However, if the tooth never heals properly, there’s a good chance it was for one of the following reasons:
- Certain canals (particularly curved or narrow canals) were not treated during the initial procedure.
- Certain canal anatomy was not detected during the first procedure.
- The placement of the crown or other restoration was delayed after the first step of root canal therapy was completed.
- Saliva contaminated the inside of the tooth due to the restoration not fitting properly.
Even if the tooth healed properly, other potential reasons for needing retreatment include:
- Decay exposed the root canal filling material to bacteria, triggering an infection.
- The restoration broke and exposed the root to bacteria, causing an infection.
How Does Root Canal Retreatment Work?
If you choose to receive root canal retreatment, you can expect the dentist to perform the following steps:
- First, the tooth will be reopened in order to access the root canal filling material. From there, the material will most likely be disassembled.
- After the filling material is removed, the canals are cleaned again as well as carefully examined using magnification. This allows them to make sure they do not miss any areas of your root’s anatomy.
- Once the root canal is thoroughly cleaned, they are sealed and a temporary filling is placed inside of the tooth. In certain cases, endodontic surgery may be recommended, especially if the canals are unusually narrow or blocked.
- When retreatment is complete, you’ll return to have your permanent restoration placed onto the tooth so it can become fully functional again.
Is Retreatment Right for Me?
When you have the option to save your tooth, it’s always the better option compared to having it extracted outright. Keep in mind that retreated teeth can still function for many years and advancements in dental technology make the process much easier than in previous years. There’s even a chance that your issue may not even require retreatment.
Of course, there’s no way to know for sure until you set up an appointment with a dentist for an examination. Call a dentist in Fort Worth today to ensure your tooth gets the professional care it needs!
About Hulen Crossing Family Dental
The dentists of Hulen Crossing Family Dental have a combined total of over 30 years’ experience in the dental field. Dr. Desimone in particularly is highly experienced in oral surgery, meaning you can have confidence in your future root canal retreatment when visiting his practice. To schedule an appointment or learn if retreatment is right for you, contact them through their website today!