A guide to root canal retreatment: Quick aspects worth knowing

If there is a deep cavity, pulp infection, or tooth injury, your dentist may recommend going for root canal treatment. In rare cases, the treatment may not be as effective as expected. If the treated tooth doesn’t heal normally, the patient may experience complications, which include pain and sensitivity. This is when root canal retreatment may be necessary. If you are visiting a dental practice in the Park Slope area of Brooklyn, New York, here’s what you need to know. ‘

The basics

During root canal retreatment, your dentist will remove the restorative appliance along with all the packing material from the inside of the tooth. They will then cleanse the root canals again and ensure no remaining decay. The tooth is sealed again, following which the crown is placed. Simply put, root canal retreatment is similar to standard root canal procedure. The success rate of the treatment may vary but is marked at 75% on average.

Should you consider root canal retreatment?

The answer depends on the condition of the tooth. If the tooth has considerable bone support and healthy gums around it, there is still a good chance of saving it. There are alternatives to root canal retreatment. For instance, you could have the tooth extracted and replace it with a bridge, dental implant, or dentures. Most of these treatments are way more time-consuming and expensive. Also, nothing can replace the feel of a natural tooth.

Is it necessary to go for root canal retreatment?

There are some situations when root canal retreatment may be necessary. If the crown has broken apart or some canals were not treated during the first procedure, you may need to consider repeating the steps. Your dentist may also recommend the procedure if there is additional damage to the tooth due to a missing crown or when there is new decay or injury.

Final word

There is no denying that root canal retreatment can be scary, but it is still a great way to save a tooth from extraction. Talk to your dentist if you have additional concerns. They can share more about the procedure, what you can expect during the treatment and other aspects. It can take up to four sessions to complete root canal retreatment, and your dentist will usually suggest a gap of at least a few days to accelerate and foster healing. Your dentist will use local anesthesia, so there won’t be any pain.