Root Canal and Retreatment

 

When your tooth is infected with bacterial decay, a root canal is an effective treatment to save it. In some instances, the root canal may fail and retreatment becomes necessary. Here at Excellent Dental Specialists, we can provide you with the expert care you need when it comes to root canals and the retreatment of failed root canals.

What is a root canal?

A root canal helps to save your tooth when it has become plagued by infection. Infection usually occurs as the result of bacteria eating away at your teeth. Usually, an infection can be discovered due to a significant amount of pain that may linger after the tooth is agitated. It is possible for you not to notice any symptoms, and the infection will be found during a routine exam.

After an infection has been diagnosed, we will treat your tooth. We will use a local anesthetic to numb the area. We drill into your tooth and remove both the pulp and the nerve. The area is cleaned and disinfected, removing all lingering bacteria. We fill the cavity and fill the hole with the same composite material that we use to fill tooth colored fillings. This allows your tooth to remain in your jawbone, thereby preventing your surrounding teeth from shifting or your jaw from resorbing. Under most circumstances, a root canal provides a permanent solution, however, there are some instances when retreatment is necessary.

What causes root canal failure?

There are several reasons a root canal might fail:

Not all of the bacteria was removed from the tooth. The bacteria begin to multiply again and cause a new infection.
The restoration was cracked or broken.
The tooth itself may have suffered damage.

 

Root Canal Retreatment

Root canal therapy at Excellent Dental Specialists.A root canal retreatment tends to be a more complex procedure than the root canal itself. When you come in for your retreatment, we will give you a local anesthetic to numb the surrounding area. The tooth is isolated from the rest of your teeth to prevent bacteria from entering. We clean the canals again and reshape them as necessary. Sometimes, this part of the procedure can be complex and may require a second visit. If this is the case, we will pack your tooth with a medicated material until your next appointment.

Upon your next visit, we will thoroughly clean the canals. When we are absolutely certain that all bacteria have been removed, we will pack the canal and finish the procedure with a filling.

If your first root canal has failed, retreatment may be necessary to save your tooth. Contact us for more information or to schedule your appointment.