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Endodontic Retreatment At
North Pacific Endodontics
With the appropriate care, your teeth that have had endodontic treatment will last as long as other natural teeth. Yet, a tooth that has received treatment may fail to heal or pain may continue to exist. Sometimes, the pain may occur months or years after treatment. If so, Drs. Jeppson, Baker or Sharp may need to perform Endodontic Retreatment.
Improper healing may be caused by:
- Curved or narrow canals that were not treated during the initial treatment.
- Complicated canals that went undetected during the initial treatment.
- The crown or restoration was not placed within the appropriate amount of time following the procedure.
- The crown or restoration that did not prevent saliva from contaminating the inside of the tooth.
In some cases, new problems can influence a tooth that was successfully treated:
- New decay can expose a root canal filling material, causing infection.
- A cracked or loose filling or crown can expose the tooth to new infection.
Once retreatment has been selected as a solution to your problem, the doctors will reopen your tooth to gain access to the root canal filling material. This restorative material will be removed to enable access to the root canal. The doctors will now clean your canals and carefully examine the inside of the problematic tooth. Once cleaned, the doctors will fill and seal the canals and place a temporary filling in the tooth.
At this point, you will need to return to your dentist as soon as possible in order to have a new crown or restoration placed on the tooth to restore full functionality.
What is endodontic retreatment?
Endodontic retreatment is a dental procedure performed to address issues that may arise after a previous root canal treatment. While root canals generally have a high success rate, there are instances where a tooth that has undergone a root canal may experience complications or infections over time. Endodontic retreatment involves reopening the treated tooth, removing the old restorative filling, and thoroughly inspecting and cleaning the canals to address any persistent or new issues.
The process includes diagnostic measures such as X-rays and advanced 3-D imaging to ensure a precise understanding of the tooth’s condition. The treatment follows two cardinal rules: finding every single canal and reaching the end of each canal. Once diagnosed, the endodontic retreatment involves carefully cleaning, refilling, and resealing the canals. A temporary or permanent filling is then placed in the tooth, and the final restoration is completed with a restorative dentist.
Endodontic retreatment at North Pacific Endodontics is a routine and safe procedure designed to provide a comprehensive solution to reinfected root canals. The goal is to alleviate pain, prevent further complications, and restore optimal dental health for a pain-free experience.
Why Choose Endodontic Retreatment at North Pacific Endodontics?
Wondering why endodontic retreatment may be necessary? If a previously treated root canal fails to heal or causes persistent pain, several factors may contribute. Curved, narrow, or complex canals can sometimes allow old infections to persist, enabling bacteria to hide in the pulp. At North Pacific Endodontics, we employ advanced imaging technology, including the GentleWave Procedure, ensuring thorough inspection of every nook and cranny.
Delayed placement of a permanent crown or restoration after the initial procedure could also necessitate endodontic retreatment. Although rare, infections may seep through poorly-fitting crowns.
Additionally, retreatment may be required for reasons unrelated to the original root canal. New decay, exposed root canal filling material, or infections from cracked or loose fillings and crowns are potential culprits, as well as issues related to oral hygiene.
Whatever the cause of your tooth concern, our team at North Pacific Endodontics is equipped to unravel the mystery. Share your tooth story during a consultation, and we’ll carefully listen, utilize state-of-the-art imaging, and apply GentleWave® technology to ensure a smooth and effective endodontic retreatment procedure. Trust us to address the root of the problem and restore your dental health
What happens after endodontic retreatment?
The post-treatment phase and recovery following endodontic retreatment closely resemble that of a standard root canal.
Crucially, we emphasize the importance of promptly visiting your restorative dentist, ideally within two weeks of the retreatment, to have a new crown or restoration placed on the treated tooth.
In addition to this, we request your return to our office 6 to 12 months after the treatment for a complimentary check-in. During this follow-up, we’ll ensure that your healing process is progressing as expected, providing the necessary assurance and ongoing care for your optimal dental health.
Delayed placement of a permanent crown or restoration after the initial procedure could also necessitate endodontic retreatment. Although rare, infections may seep through poorly-fitting crowns.
Additionally, retreatment may be required for reasons unrelated to the original root canal. New decay, exposed root canal filling material, or infections from cracked or loose fillings and crowns are potential culprits, as well as issues related to oral hygiene.
Whatever the cause of your tooth concern, our team at North Pacific Endodontics is equipped to unravel the mystery. Share your tooth story during a consultation, and we’ll carefully listen, utilize state-of-the-art imaging, and apply GentleWave® technology to ensure a smooth and effective endodontic retreatment procedure. Trust us to address the root of the problem and restore your dental health
