Root canal therapy may be a very reliable procedure, but there is still a small chance that yours won’t be successful and the infection will return. Therefore, Access Endodontics offers patients in Ellicott City, Maryland endodontic retreatment services.
What is endodontic retreatment? The procedure isn’t all that different from a standard root canal, nonetheless there are some distinctions that differ with this procedure. To better understand those distinctions, continue reading this guide on what to expect with an endodontic retreatment.
Dr. Lina Jarboe, Dr. Burton Waxman, and the Access Endodontics team can help you save your smile after a failed root canal with the help of endodontic retreatment. Speak with your dentist today or give us a call at 410.304.7226.
What Is Endodontic Retreatment?
Endodontic retreatment is an additional treatment procedure for an infected tooth. The first treatment is a root canal, which involves removing the infection from the inner tooth and then refilling it with a biocompatible material.
While this procedure is successful about 97% of the time, it does occasionally fail. If this happens, endodontic retreatment can help you avoid extraction.
The endodontic retreatment procedure requires your endodontist to carefully remove the biocompatible material from your root canal in order to gain access to the inner tooth once more. Once removed, they’ll clean out any bacteria and search for hard-to-find canals that may have been missed during the initial procedure.
Why Might I Need Endodontic Retreatment?
There are several reasons why a root canal might fail, requiring you to undergo endodontic retreatment to preserve your tooth. Those reasons include the following:
- The tooth was cracked or broken in some way
- The restoration was ineffective at preventing infection
- Unusual anatomy in the inner tooth went undetected
- Damaged restoration led to further infection
If you’re experiencing any pain or discomfort in your treated tooth, speak with your dentist or your treating endodontist. An endodontist will assess why your root canal failed and make recommendations on what to do.
What to Expect in Endodontic Retreatment
Because you’ve already had a root canal, it is likely that your endodontic retreatment expectations are not too far off from what they should be. There are a few differences between an endodontic retreatment and a root canal to keep in mind.
Consultation
Before you receive any treatment, you’ll need to see your dentist or endodontist so they may determine whether you’re a good candidate. If you decide to move forward with the procedure, you will learn more about endodontic retreatment expectations and schedule your appointment.
The Endodontic Retreatment Procedure
One way endodontic retreatment differs from a root canal is that gaining access to your inner tooth is a little more complex thanks to the restoration and biocompatible materials placed during the initial treatment. Your endodontist will first administer a local anesthetic and then begin the procedure.
Once they have gained access to the inner tooth, your endodontist will clean out the infected areas while looking for any unusual canals that avoided detection during the root canal. If they do find one, that may prove well for the success of the procedure, as it’s the likely cause of the infection returning.
After they have thoroughly cleaned the tooth, your endodontist will reseal it. You can anticipate some mild swelling and discomfort during your recovery, but most likely nothing that can’t be treated with some over-the-counter pain medication.
Endodontic Retreatment from Access Endodontics
Access Endodontics can help you preserve your natural tooth and save your smile after a root canal fails. Speak to your dentist or contact us today by calling 410.304.7226.