Endodontic Retreatment
Occasionally a root canal treated tooth does not heal properly and can become painful or diseased, months or even years after the original treatment was completed. When that happens, Endodontic Retreatment or Refreshment can help save your tooth. Reasons why initial treatment may have failed include: difficult or hidden anatomy allowing bacteria to persist, new decay or fracture causing bacterial recontamination of the tooth.
The process begins with numbing the area and creating a small opening in the crown of the tooth to access the roots. After removing the materials placed in the root canals from the first procedure, the canal are cleaned and disinfected as well as any additional anatomy treated.
After thorough disinfection, the root is sealed with a filling and the access is either sealed with a temporary or permanent filling. We generally require you to follow up with your dentist to permanently seal the crown of the tooth with a filling or crown.
Over time, any bone affected will heal and return to normal. Occasionally, this may take anywhere from 6 months to several years. There should be no pain during this time however.