Root Canal Retreatment

Root Canal Retreatment

What is root canal retreatment?

• Root canal retreatment may be necessary if a previously root canal treated tooth is not healing properly due to persistent infection, or if a new infection (secondary infection) is identified by a dentist. Root canal treatment is an effective procedure with a high success rate, but as with other medical or dental procedures, there is a chance that the tooth does not heal as expected after initial treatment and the best efforts of a dentist.

How do I know if a tooth needs root canal retreatment?

• If you begin to experience painful symptoms following an initial root canal treatment, it might indicate a need for root canal retreatment. This can happen months or years after the initial treatment.
• In some cases, you might not experience pain yet, but a dental x-ray might reveal that infection is present around the root of a tooth. This might indicate the need for root canal retreatment. It is therefore important to attend regular dental check-ups where our dentist can ensure that your teeth are free of infection.
• Sometimes, a lost restoration or fracture of a root-treated tooth may require root canal retreatment if the root canal system is exposed to contamination of the oral environment for a considerable amount of time.

What does root canal retreatment involve?

• our dentist will assess your concerned tooth with X-rays if necessary. Your dentist will diagnose the issue and discuss the treatment options you have.
• It is most important for the treating dentist to identify the cause of failure of the initial root canal treatment.
• If root canal retreatment is the best choice or selected option by you, an appointment will be arranged for the start of root canal retreatment. As retreatment is a complex and highly critical procedure, it usually requires an experienced root canal specialist with access to specialised tools.
• The procedure will be similar to the initial root canal treatment, but with a few extra steps and usually requires two visits. During the treatment day, our root canal specialist dentist (Endodontist) will create an access to the root canal system. Depending on the condition of the tooth, as most of the time a crown may have been in place on the root canal treated tooth, each situation is managed differently based on the expert opinion of the endodontist. Sometimes, an access through the crown is possible whereas at times, the old crown needs to be removed. On the same appointment, the root canal filling material will be removed from the pulp chamber and root canals using special tools and the canals cleaned and disinfected. A medication will then be placed in the canals until the next appointment to increase treatment success rate.
• On the next appointment, cleaning and shaping of canals will be continued and new material will be used to fill the canal and finally sealed with appropriate materials.
• Tooth will then be reviewed before any restorative procedure if required.

What are the benefits of root canal retreatment

• Allows you to save your tooth
  • As with root canal treatment, this procedure affords a chance to save your tooth. It is always best to attempt to save your natural tooth if it has considerable prognosis. This can help maintain the integrity of the surrounding teeth and prevent the need for more extensive dental work in the future.
• Advances in technology and techniques
  • Particularly if your initial root canal treatment that has since failed was performed some time ago, advances since then might allow your dentist to utilise these new techniques and technology to resolve your problem with retreatment

Your dentist shall weigh the risks and benefits and discuss them with you as part of the process for you to decide the best treatment choice that suits you.

What are the risks of root canal retreatment

• The risks of root canal retreatment are similar to that of initial root canal treatment.

• Pain and discomfort: It is normal to experience some pain and discomfort following the procedure. This usually resolves within a few days to a week.
• Fractured tooth: Just like teeth with root canal treatment, they are at an increased risk of fracture. Hence, a crown is usually recommended for back teeth that undergo root canal treatment or root canal retreatment.
• Failure of treatment: In some cases, the root canal treatment may still be unsuccessful in saving the tooth. Further treatment such as endodontic surgery may be considered at that point, or the tooth may need to be extracted.
• File separation or perforation: In some cases, complications of treatment might arise and necessitate specialist management in order to continue trying to save the tooth.
• Infection: Although rare, there is still a risk of infection following root canal retreatment. In some instances, bacteria can re-enter the root canal system and cause an infection.

It is important to discuss any concerns or questions you may have about the risks and potential complications of root canal treatment with your dentist. Your dentist will be able to explain the risks in more detail and help you make an informed decision about whether root canal retreatment is the best option for you.