Understanding Root Canal Retreatment: Redoing a Previously Treated Tooth
Most root canals are highly successful and last a lifetime. But in some cases, a tooth that has already undergone root canal therapy may become painful or reinfected. When that happens, an endodontic retreatment — essentially redoing the root canal — may be the best option to save the tooth. Why Would a Tooth Need Retreatment? There are several reasons why a previously treated tooth might not heal as expected: Complex tooth anatomy that wasn’t fully addressed in the first treatment. Delayed crown placement after the original root canal, allowing bacteria back in. New decay that exposes the root canal