Root Canal Retreatment

Our practice’s goal is to provide the highest level of endodontic care and treatment to our patients, no matter their unique situation. Root canal retreatment may be needed when initial root canal treatment of the infected tooth fails to heal properly, or pain continues for a number of reasons. Sometimes, this pain can occur months or even years after initial root canal treatment takes place.

Why Need Root Canal Retreatment?

Sometimes, your tooth or teeth that have undergone root canal treatment may function and act exactly like your natural teeth without any pain or issues. Other times, these treated teeth will fail to heal properly and continue to cause the patient pain and discomfort. If pain and discomfort continue, our endodontists at Columbus Endodontic Specialists may suggest root canal retreatment. 

Some causes of improper healing may include:

• Curved or narrow canals were not treated during the initial treatment
• Complicated canals were not noticed during the initial treatment
• The crown or restoration was not placed within the appropriate amount of time following the procedure
• The crown or restoration allowed saliva and bacteria to contaminate the inside of the tooth
• New decay has occurred, which has allowed bacteria to reinfect the root canal system
• A fracture in the root has developed, which can allow bacteria to reinfect the root canal system

Next Steps of Retreatment

Once our team determines that retreatment is the best choice for the patient’s situation, our endodontists at Columbus Endodontic Specialists will access back into the infected tooth, and remove the old filling material from the root. Then, they will thoroughly clean the root canal system. Once the root is properly cleaned, our endodontists will fill and seal the canals, while also placing a temporary filling in the tooth. Our team will discuss with you what the timeframe is for you to follow up with your general dentist to have the tooth restored to full function.

Although we hope that your initial root canal treatment is the only treatment you will need to restore your teeth, we understand that there are multiple factors that could lead to necessary retreatment. If you are interested in learning more about root canal retreatment, we invite you to contact our team at 614-577-1100 (Blacklick) or 614-882-8000 (Westerville).