Root canals are a common dental procedure that can help save a tooth from infection or inflammation. With proper care, a tooth that has been treated with a root canal can last a lifetime. However, while this treatment is more than 95% successful, there is a remote chance that your dentist will recommend that you have your treatment done again. If your tooth hasn't healed or has new problems, you have a second chance.
It is possible that an additional procedure could aid healing and save the tooth. If you feel pain or discomfort in a previously treated tooth, talk to an endodontist about the possibility of re-treating it. In most cases, endodontic treatment will last a lifetime. Occasionally, a tooth becomes reinfected, in which case a second root canal or a new endodontic treatment is needed.
The dentist may repeat the root canal treatment on a tooth two or more times. However, subsequent root canal treatments don't always make sense. The most common option for failed root canals is retreatment. This option has the highest success rate and involves removing the original filling and disinfecting the channel.
Then, we re-seal the area to help prevent further infections and prevent bacteria from entering. The procedure is likely to be more complex than the first endodontic treatment, since restorative and filling material may need to be removed to perform the new procedure. Although high-angle ducts are rare, when they exist, they increase the likelihood that a repeat endodontic procedure will be needed. And if a highly qualified dentist performed the first endodontic treatment, the second one may not work. If you and your endodontist choose a new treatment, the endodontist will reopen the tooth to access the root canal filling material.
In many cases, complex restorative materials (crowns, posts and cores) must be dismantled and removed to allow access to the root canals. After removing the filling from the canal, the endodontist can clean them and carefully examine the inside of the tooth with augmentation and illumination, looking for any additional channels or unusual anatomy that requires treatment. If you're not comfortable with your dentist's skill level, you can seek a second opinion from a dentist who is an expert in root canal treatment. In some cases, patients have problems with endodontics and there is a chance that a root canal might fail. Advances in technology are constantly changing the way root canal treatment is performed, so your endodontist can use new techniques that weren't available when your first procedure was performed. After a new endodontic treatment, patients may experience pain, discomfort, and tenderness for a few days.
This is unlikely, but may be due to cracks in the root area or an obstruction that could make it difficult to properly clean the root area of the tooth. To help ensure that your root canal lasts as long as possible, it's beneficial to place the crown immediately after the endodontic procedure. With proper care and maintenance of your teeth after undergoing root canal therapy, you can enjoy healthy teeth for years to come.
