Root Canal Retreatment

Our experienced dental team will always give you the advice and information you need following any procedure to take full advantage of the benefits of that treatment for your future oral health and to prolong the lifetime of that repair, prevention, or restoration.  

A Root Canal Treatment is a procedure involving the removal of pulp and nerve tissue from within the tooth. It is recommended when a tooth becomes irreversibly infected and inflamed by bacteria gaining access to the root of the tooth, causing pain, sensitivity, and endangering the long-term health of not only that tooth but the surrounding teeth and gums. 

When a patient has followed their dentist’s advice regarding sufficient and correct oral hygiene habits and maintenance following a root canal treatment, in the majority of cases their root canal-treated tooth can last in good health as long as their other natural teeth. However in some rare cases, as with all medical procedures, there is a chance either of the body not taking to the treatment or of complications occurring caused by non-ideal circumstances of the original procedure. If this happens, months or even years following a root canal it is possible, although highly unlikely, for the tooth to again become sensitive, painful or diseased. 

This is where a Root Canal Retreatment or a different surgical procedure called an Apicectomy comes into play. At Truly Dental all consultations of this nature are taken with our specially qualified Endodontic dentist, to assess your specific situation and best advise you, before carrying out the treatment that will give your tooth a second chance to heal and allow you to save your natural tooth. 

Why does a Root Canal Treatment fail?

Although the occurrence is rare, there are a number of reasons why a Root Canal Treatment can fail. It can be due to the tooth not healing fully following the original procedure, or through developing new or related problems following treatment: 

• Teeth with more complex internal anatomy have a higher risk of retaining bacteria or decay even post original treatment by root canal
• If the placement of a crown was delayed following initial Root Canal Treatment, giving bacterial infection opportunity to re-enter the healing site 
• New decay on the same tooth may expose the root canal filling material to bacteria, initiating reinfection of the same root system
• A loose or broken crown or filling, particularly if not repaired or re-fitted right away, can expose the tooth to a new infection 
• The tooth can fracture after prolonged, heavy use, which can allow infection to set in once again, particularly if there are delays to replacing or restoring the tooth

Benefits of Root Canal Retreatment

• Increase the lifespan of your natural tooth, maintaining your full chewing and biting functions organically without additional restorative dental interventions
• Avoid losing the tooth, as extraction is the only alternative treatment for a tooth suffering from re-infection of the root
• Eliminate the need for further complex surgical procedures, such as dental implants, to replace an extracted tooth
• Retain your full smile and youthful facial structure by maintaining both the positioning of the teeth surrounding your infected tooth, and the natural bone levels in your jaw, which would be disrupted by the removal of natural tooth roots

What to Expect When Getting Root Canal Retreatment

Initial consultation 

If your initial root canal treatment was carried out at Truly Dental, your dentist will have emphasised the importance to you of keeping to a regular, 6-monthly check-up and cleaning schedule, to monitor your treated tooth for any issues as well as to maintain your overall oral health. Whether you have booked a consultation with our clinic as a new or an existing patient, your dentist will always first carry out a full and comprehensive examination of your teeth, gums and bone, and will address all specific concerns or issues you are experiencing. 

Your need for retreatment may become obvious from symptoms such as pain or discomfort at the site of an old root canal treatment. Alternatively, this may have been an incidental finding of infection or inflammation from your dentist during your examination.  

At this stage, your dentist will likely take a detailed X-ray of your tooth to establish the extent of the infection affecting your root, to assess in detail the internal anatomy of your tooth and to allow them to properly plan for your treatment. If your case is more severe or the re-infection extensive, it may be appropriate to carry out an alternative treatment – a minor surgical procedure known as an Apicectomy – and your dentist will be able to discuss this possibility with you at this assessment. 

They will be able to answer any questions you may have at this stage, to fully prepare you for the retreatment itself, and to go through all options for restoration procedures following the treatment that are relevant to your case. This detailed treatment plan will include a complete estimate of the time until completion of your full treatment, as well as a breakdown of the total costs involved.

The retreatment procedure 

Your dentist will use a highly effective local anaesthetic to numb your mouth prior to treatment. This ensures that the procedure will be completely pain-free, and you will feel little more than some gentle vibration throughout - similar to getting a dental filling. Do speak to your dentist if you have any worries about undergoing treatment due to anxiety, fear, or stress caused by dental procedures, as we make the option of undergoing any treatment under dental sedation available to all of our patients - the ideal solution for any patient who suffers from dental anxiety or severe nerves.

Retreatment of your root canal treated-tooth begins with your dentist drilling a small hole into the tooth to access the root filling material. If you have a crown on your tooth they will either fully remove the crown to expose the filled root or else drill through the crown if appropriate. Your dentist will then proceed to remove the artificial filling material, after which using very fine dental files they will precisely and carefully clean the inside of your root canal system. At Truly Dental our endodontic dentist uses our high-tech surgical microscope at this stage to inspect for any unusual anatomy or cracks within the tooth to offset any further complications. 

After your tooth has been thoroughly cleaned the interior will be sterilised with an anti-microbial solution to kill any lingering bacteria, before finally the root canals of your tooth will be resealed and filled. Your dentist will have advised you at the treatment planning stage whether or not you will need a new crown placed after this retreatment, or if your previous crown is salvageable and can simply be re-bonded. If your old crown is not offering you sufficient protection and needs to be replaced, then a 3D impression for your new crown will be taken at this stage so that the fabrication process can begin right away. It is vital to have your new crown placed in this instance as soon as possible after your retreatment, to reduce any risk of the procedure failing.