Giving Your Tooth a Second Chance
Most root canal therapy procedures are highly successful, but occasionally a tooth doesn’t heal as expected—or pain and infection return months or even years later. When that happens, root canal retreatment can save your tooth and restore comfort. This safe, proven procedure gives your tooth another chance to last a lifetime.
Why a Tooth May Need Retreatment
Even with expert care, some teeth require additional attention. Reasons include:
- Curved or narrow canals that weren’t fully treated the first time
- Complex canals that went undetected during the initial treatment
- Delayed placement of a crown or filling after the original procedure
- A crown or restoration that didn’t fully protect the tooth from saliva and bacteria
Why a Tooth May Need Retreatment
Even with expert care, some teeth require additional attention. Reasons include:
- Curved or narrow canals that weren’t fully treated the first time
- Complex canals that went undetected during the initial treatment
- Delayed placement of a crown or filling after the original procedure
- A crown or restoration that didn’t fully protect the tooth from saliva and bacteria
New Problems Can Also Arise
Sometimes a tooth that initially healed well may later develop new issues, such as:
- Fresh decay that exposes the root canal filling
- A cracked or loose filling or crown that allows infection inside
- New injury or trauma to the tooth that disrupts previous healing
During root canal retreatment, your doctor will carefully reopen the tooth to access the canals. The old filling material is removed so the canals can be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Special attention is given to checking for hidden or curved canals that may not have been treated the first time. Once everything is cleaned, the canals are refilled and sealed to prevent further infection. Finally, a temporary filling is placed until your general dentist provides a permanent crown or restoration. This process not only clears away infection but also strengthens the tooth and sets it up for long-term success.
New Problems Can Also Arise
Sometimes a tooth that initially healed well may later develop new issues, such as:
- Fresh decay that exposes the root canal filling
- A cracked or loose filling or crown that allows infection inside
- New injury or trauma to the tooth that disrupts previous healing
During root canal retreatment, your doctor will carefully reopen the tooth to access the canals. The old filling material is removed so the canals can be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Special attention is given to checking for hidden or curved canals that may not have been treated the first time. Once everything is cleaned, the canals are refilled and sealed to prevent further infection. Finally, a temporary filling is placed until your general dentist provides a permanent crown or restoration. This process not only clears away infection but also strengthens the tooth and sets it up for long-term success.
Symptoms to Watch For
Wondering if you might need retreatment? Common signs include:
- Persistent or returning tooth pain
- Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Tenderness or swelling in the gums near the treated tooth
- Pain when chewing or biting
- A small pimple-like bump on the gums
If you’re experiencing any of these, it’s important to schedule an evaluation as soon as possible.
Symptoms to Watch For
Wondering if you might need retreatment? Common signs include:
- Persistent or returning tooth pain
- Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Tenderness or swelling in the gums near the treated tooth
- Pain when chewing or biting
- A small pimple-like bump on the gums
If you’re experiencing any of these, it’s important to schedule an evaluation as soon as possible.
Success Rates & Benefits
Root canal retreatment has a very high success rate. In fact, when properly retreated and restored, many teeth last just as long as healthy natural teeth. Choosing retreatment instead of extraction allows you to:
- Keep your natural tooth
- Avoid more complex treatments like implants or bridges
- Save time and costs over the long run
- Maintain your natural smile and bite function
We’re proud to provide root canal retreatment services throughout Idaho and Wyoming, with convenient office locations in Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Rexburg, Burley, and Hailey, as well as Jackson Hole and Pinedale, WY. No matter where you are in the region, our specialists are here to help relieve your tooth pain, protect your natural teeth, and restore your smile with expert care close to home.
Success Rates & Benefits
Root canal retreatment has a very high success rate. In fact, when properly retreated and restored, many teeth last just as long as healthy natural teeth. Choosing retreatment instead of extraction allows you to:
- Keep your natural tooth
- Avoid more complex treatments like implants or bridges
- Save time and costs over the long run
- Maintain your natural smile and bite function
We’re proud to provide root canal retreatment services throughout Idaho and Wyoming, with convenient office locations in Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Rexburg, Burley, and Hailey, as well as Jackson Hole and Pinedale, WY. No matter where you are in the region, our specialists are here to help relieve your tooth pain, protect your natural teeth, and restore your smile with expert care close to home.
Have Root Canal Therapy Questions?
Having dental work done can be a daunting experience, especially if you need major work like a root canal. Sometimes, knowing a little bit more about the procedure and what to expect can help to put your mind at ease.
As the name suggests, endodontic retreatment is a process by which a cracked tooth is refilled. This may happen if there was a previous root canal, but the tooth becomes reinfected. Instead of doing a new root canal, the dentist will go in and get rid of the material that is infected or will look for a new hole that has grown.
It might be difficult for you to have this procedure because you feel that you already just got one. This treatment is often a response to an incorrectly healed surgery. You should go in with a good attitude though. Your root canal will last a lifetime if done properly or re-addressed sufficiently. The American Association of Endodontists is confident that you can get the longevity of this kind from a root canal. Make sure you follow your dentist’s instructions prior to surgery.
Unfortunately, unlike your initial root canal, this treatment will require two visits to the doctor. During the first visit, the dentist will remove all of the old root canal materials in the tooth. The professional will then place an anti-bacterial paste in the tooth called calcium hydroxide. Then, the tooth is closed off with this filled and allowed to let the substance work on the area. During the second trip, the substance is removed and replaced with a new filling. The tooth is then sealed.
Obviously, with any second treatment, the dentist will have to be more careful to ensure that the treatment works. The tooth can be fractured again. The second filling is still temporary. The dentist will have to check on it to make sure the tooth has healed and then remove this filling. This is what makes the endodontic retreatment procedure labor-intensive. People have to keep tabs on the process so that the tooth does not fracture again or become reinfected.
Patients who get this surgery must be aware of the cost-benefit going into it. There are other options as well, such as extraction or a dental implant. Most people who are getting the surgery want to make sure that the tooth is preserved. They want to have their best shot at keeping their natural teeth. For this reason, people might choose to take their chances and give the root canal route a second chance.