Reasons Why You May Need Retreatment for a Root Canal

If you’ve had a root canal in Waterbury done before, you likely know already how it can help you avoid the need for a tooth extraction. Restoring a tooth is always a better option than extracting a tooth outright, but sometimes a root canal needs to be redone. This is known as retreatment and is considered to be a relatively common procedure. If you aren’t sure why you may need retreatment, keep reading this post from a dentist so you can be properly informed.

The Tooth Failed to Heal Properly

In certain circumstances, teeth may not heal as they were expected to following root canal treatment. While this is uncommon, it can occur, just like with any dental or medical procedure.

For example, narrow or curved canals could have been missed during the previous root canal, causing the infection to not fully heal. In other cases, the anatomy of the canal can be more complicated, and untreated areas could not have been caught and treated when they supposed to be.

In addition, if the restoration that’s designed to go on top of the crown was not placed soon enough, the canal could have become reinfected. In rare cases, saliva can contaminate the inside of the tooth, despite a restoration being placed on top.

A New Dental Issue Affected a Healthy Tooth

While it’s possible for treatment to be ineffective, it’s far more common for unrelated issues to develop and require the root canal to be retreated. For example, new decay can expose the root canal filling material and cause the tooth to become infected once again.

Furthermore, physical trauma to the tooth can leave it cracked, exposing the vulnerable inner area to bacteria that way. The same applies to the restoration, which can also become cracked and leave the inner tooth exposed.

What to Expect During Retreatment

During a retreatment, it’s common for the restorative materials used during the initial root canal procedure to be removed or dismantled. Once removed, the canal can be thoroughly cleaned and treated as needed. From there, the canals are filled with a temporary filling. However, if you’re visiting a dentist that already provides dental restorations, rather than an offsite endodontist, you’ll receive a temporary crown instead.

Most dental crowns take about two weeks to design, fabricate, and place. That means you’ll need to take care of the treated tooth in the meantime and follow all aftercare instructions provided by the dentist until your follow-up appointment.

If you fear that your previously treated tooth needs additional attention, schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Doing so could help you prevent the need for an extraction later!

About Waterbury Smiles

When you visit Waterbury Smiles for care, you can expect a kind, caring, and dedicated team of knowledgeable dentists ready to serve you care. Their combined experience and collaborative approach to care is sure to make you feel confident about your upcoming root canal therapy or retreatment. To schedule an appointment, you can contact them through their website.