You have already had a root canal on this tooth. You thought it was done. Then the pain comes back. Before you panic, here is what you need to know about root canal retreatment — and why it does not mean you have failed.
Retreatment is exactly what it sounds like. Your dentist removes the old root canal filling material, cleans out the canals again, and reseals the tooth. It is essentially doing the root canal a second time.
This might sound worrying, but it is a well-established procedure. Dentists are trained in retreatments specifically, and many teeth that have failed the first time go on to last for years after a retreatment.
There are several reasons a previously root-treated tooth might cause problems again. Sometimes a canal was missed during the first treatment — teeth can have more canals than expected, and a narrow or curved canal is easy to overlook.
Other times, the crown or filling placed after the root canal may have cracked or worn, allowing bacteria to re-enter. Even a tiny gap is enough for infection to creep back in.
In some cases, new decay has developed under the old crown, or the tooth has cracked. And sometimes, despite excellent treatment, the bone around the root simply does not heal as expected.
Your dentist will start by removing the crown or filling and the old filling material from the canals. This takes time — especially if the old material is cemented or the canals are narrow.
Once the canals are clean, your dentist will look for anything unusual: extra canals, cracks, or signs of infection. The canals are then shaped, disinfected, and resealed.
You will usually need a new crown after retreatment, since the process weakens the tooth and the old crown often needs to come off anyway.
Not always. If a tooth has a vertical crack, for example, extraction may be the only real option. Your dentist will assess the tooth carefully and talk you through what is feasible.
Sometimes an apicoectomy — a minor surgical procedure — is recommended instead, particularly if retreatment is not likely to succeed or has already been tried.
If you have had a root canal before and it is now painful or swollen, do not wait. Book an appointment and get it checked. Early intervention gives the best chance of saving the tooth.
Call 01323 723757 or book at www.meadsdental.com
Meads Village Dental Practice