There are many reasons that a tooth that has been treated with a root canal may experience repeated issues. After a tooth has undergone a root canal treatment, the pulp has been removed from the inside of the tooth. This means that another root canal simply isn’t an option for the same tooth. However, endodontic retreatment can be used to offer a second chance for the tooth to be saved.
Reasons a Tooth May Require Endodontic Retreatment
Ultimately there are two categories of reasons that a tooth may require endodontic retreatment. The first reason is that something was missed or overlooked in the initial root canal procedure. The second reason comes from external issues that infect the tooth. The first scenario may be caused by narrow canals that weren’t treated initially. It can also result when the placement of the crown or alternative restoration process is delayed following the root canal. Endodontic retreatment may also become necessary if the restoration method didn’t prevent salivary contamination to the inside of the teeth.
The second category of reasons may cause endodontic retreatment to become necessary because the tooth has been impacted by new decay or a loose, cracked, or broken crown. The tooth becoming fractured due to trauma will cause the inside to become vulnerable, which may result in the need for endodontic treatment.
The Process
Many of the processes that endodontic retreatment includes are the same as a root canal treatment. However, the pulp has already been removed and, therefore, can’t be removed again. The process begins with the dentist reopening the tooth. They will then remove the filling materials that were placed during the root canal. The dentist will look for any signs of infection in the tooth. They then remove all of the infection, as well as clean and disinfect the remaining area. Following this, the tooth will be refilled. It is important to obtain restoration as soon as possible after the root canal in order to increase the chance of success from the procedure.
Contact Dr. David G. Johnson DDS office in Layton or Centerville today to schedule your appointment!