While root canals are almost always successful, sometimes they don’t go as intended. A patient must basically “re-do” their care in those cases to ensure the best results. With all that said, just when would you need to get a root canal retreatment? There’s no need to ponder the question much; your North Attleboro dentist is here with an answer. Just keep reading to learn why you’d redo a root canal, as well as how such retreatment works.
Why “Re-Do” a Root Canal?
The average root canal has a long-term success rate of 80-95%, but it can still go wrong at times. You might have to redo the procedure for one (or more) of the following reasons:
Failed Healing
Despite the dentist’s best efforts, your tooth may not heal properly after a root canal. This issue normally stems from causes like:
- Late Crown Placement – If a crown isn’t placed quickly enough, bacteria could attack and infect your just-treated tooth.
- Contamination from Saliva – When a tooth isn’t well-sealed after a root canal, saliva can get into its innards. The trapped liquid can then damage your pearly white.
- Tricky Canal Anatomy – A tooth with narrow, curved, or complex canals may hide bacteria that should be removed. Should that happen, you may suffer a re-infection.
A New Tooth Issue
Whether your tooth heals well or not, it could develop a new problem later that forces a retreatment. Examples of such issues include:
- New Decay – If your treated tooth gets a cavity, new decay could create an opening for bacteria. You’d then develop another infection.
- Tooth Injury – Harmful bacteria can easily reach an injured tooth’s innards. From there, such microbes would quickly infect your mouth.
- Restorative Damage –Your tooth’s crown or filling may crack or loosen eventually. In that case, bacteria could seep in.
What Do Retreatments Involve?
As you might’ve guessed, a root canal “retreatment” is nearly the same as the first procedure. It only involves a few tweaks to the original care.
Indeed, a retreatment isn’t all that complex. A dentist will (once again) start by numbing your mouth, ensuring their work doesn’t cause pain. They’ll then remove your crown and open the affected tooth. After reaching that point, the dentist will remove your filling and any tissue that went untreated. This final step uses tools to search for extra canals or similar anatomy.
Not everyone needs a root canal retreatment, but better safe than sorry. Note the factors above so you’ll be prepared regardless!
About the Practice
Attleboro Dental Group is based in North Attleborough, MA. Led by many amazing dentists, our practice makes every effort to provide truly personalized dentistry. Not only do we use the latest dental technology, but our team always tailors your treatment to your smile’s needs. That means you can trust us for your grin’s preventive, cosmetic, and even restorative care! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (774)-331-0260.
