How do they retreat a root canal

This antibiotic medicament is left in the tooth for some time to reduce the number of bacteria and give the tooth the best chances of healing. On the second visit, the calcium hydroxide paste is removed, the canals are once again thoroughly cleaned and shaped, and a new root canal filling is placed. Finally, a temporary filling is placed to close the opening in your tooth. Your dentist will remove this temporary filling at the time the tooth is restored. Following root canal retreatment your tooth is susceptible to fracturing, or to infection due to loss of the temporary filling.

First, the endodontist will discuss your treatment options. If you and your endodontist choose retreatment, the endodontist will reopen your tooth to gain access to the root canal filling material. In many cases, complex restorative materials—crown, post and core material—must be disassembled and removed to permit access to the root canals. 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 cleaning the canals, the endodontist will fill and seal the canals and place a temporary filling in the tooth. If the canals are unusually narrow or blocked, your endodontist may recommend endodontic surgery. This surgery involves making an incision to allow the other end of the root to be sealed. After your endodontist completes retreatment, you will need to return to your dentist as soon as possible to have a new crown or other restoration placed on the tooth to protect and restore it to its full function.

Whenever possible, it is best to save your natural tooth. Retreated teeth can function well for years, even for a lifetime.

Advances in technology are constantly changing the way root canal treatment is performed, so your endodontist may use new techniques that were not available when you had your first procedure.

Your endodontist may be able to resolve your problem with retreatment. As with any dental or medical procedure, there are no guarantees. Your endodontist will discuss your options and the chances of success before beginning retreatment. The cost varies depending on how complicated the procedure will be. The procedure will probably be more complex than your first root canal treatment, because your restoration and filling material may need to be removed to accomplish the new procedure.

In addition, your endodontist may need to spend extra time searching for unusual canal anatomy. Some patients may not experience any symptoms from a reinfection, while others may experience swelling or pain while chewing.

In order to treat a tooth that did not heal properly or has again become infected after a root canal procedure, a re-treatment procedure may be performed to ensure that the tooth is thoroughly cleared of any decay and is able to function. Root canal re-treatment is performed in an attempt to save the tooth from extraction.

For patients who choose not to undergo re-treatment, endodontic surgery, which is a much more invasive procedure, may be necessary. Endodontic surgery involves making an incision to gain access to the tip of the root. During re-treatment, the affected tooth is reopened to gain access to the root canal filling. This may require disassembling crowns, posts and other restorative materials in order to reach the root of the tooth. The filling material from the initial procedure is removed and the canals are thoroughly cleaned.

Using magnification and illumination, the area will be carefully examined to detect possible additional canals or unusual areas. After the canals are cleaned, the tooth is again filled with gutta-percha, and the canals are sealed.

A temporary filling is placed in the tooth. This procedure is performed under local anesthesia, which numbs the affected area and relieves any pain and discomfort.