ENDODONTIC RETREATMENT

Why Another Treatment?

Occasionally, after an initial treatment, a tooth may not heal as expected. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including: complicated canal anatomy, the delayed placement of a crown, or, the restoration did not prevent salivary contamination to the inside of the tooth. It is also as likely that a new problem could have compromised a tooth that was successfully treated. For example new decay, a fractured tooth or broken crown could have exposed the tooth to infection.

 

Is Retreatment The Best Choice For Me?

We suggest saving your natural tooth when possible. Retreated teeth can function well for years, even for a lifetime. Retreatment allows your Endodontist to approach new possibilities that may not have been available when your tooth was treated initially. New techniques and advances in technology may allow your endodontist to resolve your problem and save your natural tooth. If your Dentist thinks retreatment may be needed, book an appointment today and discuss your treatment options with Dr. Dagher at Heritage Dental Specialists.

 

The Retreatment Process

Dr. Dagher will begin by discussing the treatment process with you and inform you of what will be taking place that day. The retreatment process requires the endodontist to re-open your tooth to gain access to the canal filling material. The endodontist will then clean the canals carefully and examine the inside of your tooth to ensure all canals have been cleaned, at which time, the canals will be filled and sealed.

After retreatment, it will be necessary to return to your dentist as soon as possible to have a new crown or other restoration placed to protect the tooth. Heritage Dental Specialists recommends booking both appointments well in advance to ensure your treatment process is as smooth as possible.

 

Alternatives To Retreatment

Root Canal and Endodontic Retreatment are non-surgical treatment options. If they are not an option, Endodontic Surgery may be considered. Endodontic Surgery may be recommended in conjunction with retreatment or as an alternative treatment.

If Endodontic Surgery is not an option, the only remaining alternative is extraction of the tooth, which is then replaced with an implant or bridge. These options also require surgery which can be quite extensive and therefore both time-consuming and costly by nature.