Root Canal Retreatment

Occasionally, teeth may exhibit persistent disease or develop new infection even after root canal treatment has been performed. Depending on the reason for failure, root canal treatment may be carried out again.

Root Canal Retreatment

We make sure it’s done right

Root canal treatment can have high success rates if performed well. As with any medical procedure, there are a small percentage of cases that may be unsuccessful. Occasionally, the tooth may not heal as expected after root canal treatment has been carried out. This may or may not be associated with persistent pain. In other cases, despite initial healing, new infection may arise months or even years later. Depending on the reason for failure, root canal treatment may be carried out again thus avoiding an extraction. This is termed endodontic or root canal retreatment. In some cases, retreatment may not be the most appropriate treatment and we may recommend endodontic microsurgery. During your consultation, Dr Aggarwala will discuss the possible reasons for failure as well as the expected outcome of your tooth.

Potential reasons for failure:

Narrow or blocked canals not treated initially
Difficult anatomy where the canals were not detected initially
Contamination of the root canal by saliva as a result of a permanent restoration not being placed after root canal treatment or the restoration not sealing off the root canal system adequately
Decay resulting in exposure of the root filling to bacteria
Crack in the crown or restoration resulting in exposure of the root filling to bacteria

How is root canal retreatment performed?

Retreatment is a more complicated procedure compared to the initial treatment and requires more advanced techniques and instruments. The procedure involves re-opening the tooth to gain access into the root canal system. If you have previously had a crown fitted, this may need to be removed. This is done under local anaesthesia and with the use of a rubber dam. The old root filling is removed. The tooth is examined using magnification and illumination to search for any additional canals and/or cracks which may have resulted in failure. The root canal system is then cleaned and disinfected, and a new root filling is placed followed by a temporary filling to seal the tooth.

What happens after treatment?

Once the treatment has been completed, Dr Aggarwala will refer you back to your dentist. A report will be sent to your dentist outlining the treatment that was carried out. Your dentist will recommend that a permanent restoration be placed to protect the structural integrity of the tooth, restore it to its’ full function, and prevent leakage. You can expect your tooth to be pain-free and functional provided you have returned to your dentist for a well-fitting permanent restoration. It is recommended you return for your 6-month review so the tooth and surrounding tissues can be assessed for healing.

Root Canal Retreatment