In the past, you underwent root canal therapy to have a tooth treated for a severe infection. During your biannual cleaning and checkup at your dentist’s office, they told you that they discovered new issues with the tooth and the root canal will need to be redone. Though root canal therapy has more than a 95% success rate and rarely ever fails, there are still many reasons why a tooth may need to be retreated. Continue reading to learn more about some of the most common reasons why your tooth needs to be retreated and what you can expect during the process.
Why Root Canals Need to Be Redone
Like any other dental procedure, there’s always a slight possibility that a tooth won’t heal properly it’s treated. This can be caused by a variety of factors, many of which can lead to the introduction of bacteria within the tooth or a new infection. A few of the most common reasons for needing root canal retreatment include:
- A delay between getting a root canal and having the crown placed
- Narrow, curved, or otherwise complicated canal anatomy
- Damage to the crown or filling
- Saliva getting into the tooth
- New damage to the tooth
- Additional decay
What to Expect During Retreatment
Having a tooth retreated will be pretty similar to the first time you had a root canal. If it’s been a while since you first underwent root canal therapy, your dentist may use new technology, techniques, or sedation methods to make treatment more comfortable and effective. Once your mouth has been thoroughly numbed, your dentist will remove the crown to reopen the tooth. Then, they will remove the filling and any newly infected or untreated tissue. Next, they will search for anything else that may require treatment. Finally, the tooth will be disinfected, refiled, and sealed back up.
If you previously had a root canal and it needs to be redone, the treatment will be just as if not more comfortable and pain-free as before. So, make sure to have the tooth treated as soon as possible to have any additional complications addressed so you can get back to having a full, well-functioning, and gorgeous smile.
About the Author
Theroux Dental Associates goes above and beyond for their North Grafton patients to make sure they feel safe and comfortable. They combine world-class customer service with the latest technology to provide you and your loved ones with the care you need to establish good oral hygiene routines and healthy, happy smiles. If you need to have a root canal redone and have questions about the procedure, they’ll explain the process to you to ease your worries so you can receive the treatment you need. For more information on root canal therapy, visit their website or call them at (508) 839-2262.