Root canal treatment is a common endodontic procedure that is designed to eliminate bacteria from the infected root canal, prevent tooth reinfection, and save the natural tooth. During the procedure, the inflamed or infected pulp is removed and the inside of the tooth is carefully cleaned and disinfected, then soaked and sealed. In some cases, a double root canal may be necessary. A double root canal is when a person undergoes endodontic treatment two or more times on the same tooth.
This may be necessary if the tooth was damaged during the first procedure or due to a secondary infection. It can also be necessary if gum disease progresses enough to endanger the tooth. In addition, when considering rare anatomical deviations, the evaluation of radiographs taken at different angles and the meticulous evaluation of the pulp chamber are essential for adequate endodontic treatment of root canals and possible accessory canals. If your dentist suspects that you may need a double root canal, they will be happy to examine your defective endodontics to provide you with a second opinion and recommended treatment options.
Whether a second root canal is better than a dental implant depends on why the root canal failed in the first place. If your dentist simply didn't fully clean your tooth, especially if you were missing a root, you can expect a second root canal to be successful. It has a very high success rate and, in most cases, a tooth treated with an endodontic procedure can last a lifetime.If you are referred to an endodontist for a double root canal, they will guide you step by step through the procedure and explain how they can save your teeth. After the procedure, you may feel sensitive to cold or heat, feel sharp pain in your tooth when you chew food, or have inflamed gums.
If this occurs, contact your dentist immediately and follow their recommendations. Placing a crown on the tooth after root canal treatment is important for improving tooth survival rates.
