Root Canal Retreatment

Our practice’s goal is to provide the highest level of endodontic care and treatment to our patients, no matter their unique situation. Root canal retreatment may be needed when initial root canal treatment of the infected tooth fails to heal properly, or pain continues for a number of reasons. Sometimes, this pain can occur months or even years after initial root canal treatment takes place.

Why Need Root Canal Retreatment?

Sometimes, your tooth or teeth that have undergone root canal treatment may function and act exactly like your natural teeth without any pain or issues. Other times, these treated teeth will fail to heal properly and continue to cause the patient pain and discomfort. If pain and discomfort continue, Dr. Paul A. Shepard may suggest root canal retreatment. 

Some causes of improper healing may include:

• Curved or narrow canals were not treated during the initial treatment
• Complicated canals were not noticed during the initial treatment
• The crown or restoration was not placed within the appropriate amount of time following the procedure
• The crown or restoration allowed saliva and bacteria from contaminating the inside of the tooth

Sometimes, there can be new problems that occur to prevent proper healing as well. The treated tooth could experience new decay, exposing the filling material and leading to an infection. Also, the filling could become cracked or loose, thus exposing the tooth to a new infection.

Next Steps of Retreatment

Once our team determines that retreatment is the best choice for the patient’s situation, Dr. Paul A. Shepard will drill back into the infected tooth, and remove the old filling material to access the root. Then, Dr. Paul A. Shepard will precisely clean and examine the area to ensure there are no more signs of infection. Once the area is properly cleaned, Dr. Paul A. Shepard will fill and seal the canals, while also placing a temporary filling in the tooth. Our team will discuss with you what the timeframe is for a new crown or restoration to be placed on your tooth to restore full functionality.

Although we hope that your initial root canal treatment is the only treatment you will need to restore your teeth, we understand that there are multiple factors that could lead to necessary retreatment. If you are interested in learning more about root canal retreatment, we invite you to contact our team at (770) 474-0007.