With root canal retreatment, we can help to restore a tooth that has undergone a root canal treatment in the past. While root canal procedures are an effective way to treat a damaged tooth, the final filling can come loose over time. Root canal retreatment involves treating the surrounding area of the tooth that underwent a root canal procedure to relieve pain and address other issues.
Root canal retreatment is available at Sheats Endodontic Group in Nashville and the surrounding area. Among multiple possible causes, bad oral hygiene can increase the need for patients to seek root canal retreatment. Other times, root canal treatment fails due to external factors like undetected canals or the persistence of bacteria.
Call us at 615-526-2495 to schedule an appointment and determine if a root canal retreatment procedure is the right treatment for you.
While tooth pain can result from a variety of factors, there are several main reasons for a patient to need retreatment. Signs a patient might need root canal retreatment include:
During a consultation, our endodontists can determine if the cause of the symptoms is a tooth that received a root canal in the past. We will then determine the type of treatment the patient needs.
Benefits of root canal retreatment include:
During a root canal retreatment, we will review the tooth and determine what is damaged. If there are traces of infection still in the tooth root, we will remove the crown or filling before removing the infected dental pulp. We will review the inner parts of the tooth and clean them out. We may use an antibacterial cream to the area of the tooth.
We may wrap up the first visit by sealing the tooth with a temporary filling. The antibiotic remains in the affected tooth for a week or more to kill the bacteria infecting the tooth. During the second visit, we will reopen the tooth and clean out any remnants of the antibacterial paste.
Depending on the condition of the tooth, we might reseal it with a temporary filling or use a more permanent sealant. The newly-restored tooth will be covered up with a crown to prevent saliva and other irritants in the mouth from further damaging it.
You do not have to deal with much of a recovery period after getting a root canal. You might experience some discomfort or swelling after any anesthetic used wears off, but that is manageable with over-the-counter pain medication. Any discomfort experienced typically goes away within a few days. Avoid eating with the newly-treated tooth until the area around it is no longer tender.
Good oral hygiene is essential after root canal retreatment. Aim to brush at least two times each day and floss once daily. Doing so helps to eliminate oral bacteria that can lead to infection again.
Call 615-526-2495 to visit us at our Nashville clinic if a previous root canal treatment is causing problems. We will identify the source of the pain and provide treatment for pain relief.
How long does each visit take on average during root canal retreatment?
A tooth located in front of the mouth can take about an hour to treat. A tooth located at the back of the mouth can take up to 90 minutes. Add another 60 minutes for each additional tooth we need to treat. However, the treatment time can vary per patient.
What type of Endodontist performs root canal retreatment?
As an endodontist, we can provide root canal treatment and retreatment to our patients. While general Endodontists can clean teeth and treat a variety of other issues, they cannot provide the professional root canal retreatment and services patients may need. Our team has additional training that focuses on performing root canals and dealing with complications that can arise as a result of the treatment like reinfection.
What are my other options besides root canal retreatment?
The most likely alternative besides root canal retreatment is an extraction. Extracting a tooth can prevent an infection from spreading to other parts of the body via the tooth's roots. Root canals are often recommended over extractions since it saves your natural tooth and costs less.
What are the success rates?
External factors like how well you take care of your mouth can increase or decrease the odds of successful treatment. Getting a tooth that has been restored with root canal retreatment protected with a crown increases the odds of successful treatment.
Sheats Endodontic Group is located at
1919 Charlotte Ave Suite 320
Nashville, TN
37203