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What Is Endodontic Retreatment?
Endodontic retreatment is an advanced procedure that may be necessary if a tooth doesn’t heal correctly after initial root canal therapy. Sometimes a retreated tooth can develop a further infection that becomes painful, months or even years after its original treatment.
Endodontic retreatment is a process where we redo root canal treatment, and it may help the tooth heal properly, saving it from removal.
Why Can Root Canal Treatment Fail?
There is always a small level of risk with any dental or medical procedure. A tooth may fail to heal properly after endodontic treatment for several reasons. These can include:
- Root canals were not properly treated during the original procedure, perhaps because they were very curved or narrowed.
- Root canal anatomy can be complex, and it is possible that a canal was not detected during the original procedure.
- Delayed restoration of a root-treated tooth, where a tooth may not have received a crown promptly.
- The dental crown or filling may not have prevented contamination inside the tooth, perhaps because it did not seal it fully, or the seal has failed.
It’s also possible that new problems can arise in a tooth, which can affect the success of a root canal treatment. These may include:
- Tooth fracture that compromises the overall structure and integrity of the tooth.
- A loose filling or crown allows further infection of the tooth.
- New tooth decay could expose the root canal filling material, leading to a new infection.
Signs You May Need Root Canal Retreatment in NYC
After root canal treatment, a tooth should feel comfortable; however, it may take a few days to settle fully. Signs that something is wrong can include:
- The return of a painful toothache.
- Noticing the gum around the tooth is swollen, or a pimple or abscess has developed.
- Tooth sensitivity or pain when biting or chewing on the tooth.
If you notice that a root-treated tooth is uncomfortable or that the gum around it looks infected, please get in touch with us at NYC Dentistry Center. We can schedule an appointment to examine the tooth and determine if it has a more severe infection that requires retreatment.
Benefits of Endodontic Treatment
Endodontic treatment can provide benefits that include:
- Preserving and protecting your natural tooth.
- Eliminating infection and discomfort.
- Avoiding tooth extraction and the need to replace the tooth, which can be costly.
- Results can be long-lasting.
- Endodontic retreatment has a high success rate using modern techniques such as microscopic dentistry.
What to Expect during Retreatment Step-By-Step
Step One: Initial Exam and Discussion of Treatment Options
Initially, our dentist will gently examine the tooth and take a digital X-ray to check for signs of infection. If infection is present, we can discuss your failed root canal options.
During this discussion, you will learn whether we believe there is a reasonable chance of saving the tooth, the estimated cost of treatment, and alternative treatments to consider.
Step Two: Redo Root Canal Treatment
If you decide to proceed, we will numb the tooth before reopening it to access the root canal filling materials. It is a complex procedure because we usually need to remove the crown and the filling in the root canals.
Once all the filling material has been removed, we thoroughly clean out the root canals using high magnification. Microscopic dentistry helps magnify and illuminate the root canals, allowing us to check for signs of unusual anatomy or additional canals that were not originally treated.
Step Three: Resealing the Tooth
After cleaning the root canals, we will reseal them and will usually place a temporary filling. This is to ensure the tooth settles down after treatment before a permanent filling is placed.
Step Four: Permanently Restoring the Tooth
Once we are sure the tooth has settled, feels comfortable, and is infection-free, you can have a permanent crown made and fitted, completing this treatment.
Endodontic Surgery
If we discover during treatment that your root canals are blocked or unusually narrow, you may need endodontic surgery instead. During this process, we would need to make an incision in the gum to access the tip of the tooth root, remove the infection, and permanently seal it.
FAQs
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Is Retreatment the Right Choice?
If you have a tooth that requires retreatment, you may wonder if it is worth it, and this is something that we can certainly discuss with you during your initial consultation. However, we recommend saving a natural tooth whenever possible. Even a retreated tooth can last for years or even a lifetime.
Additionally, if your tooth was originally treated some years ago, then newer and more advanced procedures and technologies may have become available since then, and there is a possibility that the issue can be resolved without retreatment.
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What Are the Alternatives to Retreatment?
If we determine that the chances of retreatment success are low, we may recommend that you consider another treatment instead. Usually, this would mean removing the tooth and replacing it with a dental bridge or dental implant.
Removing a tooth and replacing it can be more costly and time-consuming initially compared to retreatment. However, there may be occasions when it is best to remove a tooth rather than retreat it. Spending the money on replacing it may provide a more predictable long-term outcome.
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How Much Will Retreatment Cost?
The price will depend on the complexity of the retreatment and the number of root canals that may need to be retreated. It will be more expensive than the original treatment because the restoration and filling protecting the tooth must be removed.
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Will Dental Insurance Cover the Cost of Treatment?
Some dental insurance policies may cover part or the entire cost of retreatment, while others may offer limited coverage for a single tooth over a specified period. You will need to check with your insurance provider or contact us for further assistance and guidance.
NYC Dentistry Center6 E 45th Street, 8th Floor, Suite 2
New York, NY 10017
(212) 810-9264