Endodontic Retreatment

Whenever possible, it is best to save your natural tooth. Retreated teeth can function well for years, even for a lifetime.

As occasionally happens with any dental or medical procedure, a tooth may not heal as expected after initial endodontic therapy (root canal treatment) for a variety of reasons. If the infection did not heal properly, placement of the crown or other restoration was delayed, or new decay has formed, you may need root canal retreatment in order to save your tooth.

Retreatment Procedure

First, we will discuss your treatment options. If you select retreatment, Dr. D’Addario will reopen your tooth to gain access to the old root canal filling material.

After removing the canal filling, we can re-clean the canals and carefully examine the inside of your tooth using magnification and illumination, searching for any additional canals or unusual anatomy that requires re-disinfection.

Dr. D’Addario will clean the canals, seal them, and place a filling in the tooth. If the canals are unusually narrow or blocked, he may recommend other options such as endodontic surgery.

After he completes retreatment, you will need to return to your dentist as soon as possible to have a new crown or other restoration placed on the tooth to protect and restore it to its full function.