Endodontic Retreatment
With proper care, even teeth that have had root canal treatment can last a lifetime. But sometimes, a tooth that has been treated doesn’t heal properly and can become painful or diseased
months or even years after treatment. If your tooth failed
to heal or develops new problems, you have a second
chance. An additional procedure may be able to
support healing and save your tooth. If you have
pain or discomfort in a previously treated tooth,
talk to an endodontist about retreatment.
Candidacy for Endodontic Retreatment
Why initial treatments sometimes fail
As occasionally happens with any dental or medical procedure, a tooth may not heal as expected after initial treatment for a variety of reasons:
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— Narrow or curved canals were not treated during the initial procedure.
— Complicated canal anatomy went undetected in the first procedure.
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— The placement of the crown or other restoration was delayed following the endodontic treatment.
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— The restoration did not prevent salivary contamination to the inside of the tooth.
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In other cases, a new problem can jeopardize a tooth that was successfully treated. For example:
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— New decay can expose the root canal filling material to bacteria, causing a new infection in the tooth.
— A loose, cracked or broken crown or filling can expose the tooth to new infection.
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— A tooth sustains a fracture.​
What Endodontic Retreatment Can Do For You
How we can help
During retreatment, the endodontist will reopen your tooth and remove the filling materials that were placed in the root canals during the first procedure. The endodontist then carefully examines the tooth, looking for additional canals or new infection. The endodontist then removes any infection, cleans and shapes the canals, and places new filling materials. The opening is then sealed with a temporary filling. Once the tooth heals, a new crown or other restoration is placed on the tooth to protect it.
Patient Information
Prior to your first visit with us, we ask that you take a few moments to complete our new patient forms. This will make your initial visit much less time consuming.
Our Office Location
Berks Endodontics is conveniently located in Wyomissing, near the Berkshire Mall.