Root canal retreatment refers to the need for another root canal procedure on a tooth that’s already undergone the procedure. A root canal retreatment may be necessary months or even years after the initial procedure. Some reasons for root canal retreatment include:

• The tooth’s crown or restoration wasn’t completed fast enough after the initial root canal: Waiting too long to place a crown or restore a tooth can lead to the tooth failing to properly heal.

• Saliva contaminated the inside of the tooth: Germs found in saliva can cause infection in your gums or surrounding jawbone when they enter your tooth if the crown or tooth is damaged.

• Your tooth’s canals were narrow, curved, or abnormally shaped: The initial root canal may not remove all of the bacteria from a tooth with oddly shaped root canals.

What can you expect during Root Canal Retreatment?

We’ll determine why your initial root canal needs a revision and fix any underlying issues. Root canal retreatment is similar to the initial procedure. After numbing your mouth, we remove any fillings, crowns, and damaged enamel. We’ll clean the interior of your tooth and extract any decaying material. Then, we flush the interior of your tooth to remove bacteria. We seal the tooth with temporary material until it’s time for your permanent crown or filling.

After root canal retreatment, your tooth might feel sensitive for a few days. Post-treatment discomfort is more likely to occur if your tooth was infected before the procedure. You can use over-the-counter pain medication to alleviate any post-treatment pain.