Endodontic Retreatment

With the appropriate care, your teeth that have had endodontic treatment will last as long as other natural teeth.  A small minority of cases may fail to heal, and occasionally many years later there can be a reoccurrence of a root canal infection.  If so, endodontic retreatment may be needed.

Image of Tooth
Image of Tooth
Image of Tooth
Image of Tooth
Image of Tooth

Problems that can influence a tooth that was previously 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 and examine it.   The root canal filling will be removed, the canals will be cleaned and refilled, and a temporary filling placed in the tooth.  At this point, you will need to return to your referring dentist as soon as possible, no longer than 4 weeks for a permanent restoration.