Root Canal Retreatment

What Is Root Canal Retreatment?

With proper care, a tooth that has had a root canal can last a lifetime. Sometimes, though, a previously treated tooth doesn't heal as expected, or new problems develop months or even years after the original procedure. When that happens, the tooth has a second chance. Root canal retreatment is the procedure that saves it.

Retreatment becomes necessary for a handful of reasons. The original procedure may have left narrow or curved canals untreated, or complex anatomy that wasn't visible at the time may have been missed. A delay in placing the final crown or filling can allow bacteria to recontaminate the tooth. New decay, a fractured filling, or a cracked crown can expose the previously sealed canal to a fresh infection. In each case, the underlying tooth is often still healthy enough to save, it just needs to be treated again with better information and better tools.

The procedure itself closely mirrors the original root canal. After local anesthesia, the tooth is reopened and the previous filling material is removed. In some cases, this means carefully disassembling a crown, post, or core. Once inside, the endodontist uses magnification and 3D cone beam imaging to inspect the canal system, locate any missed anatomy, clean and disinfect every passage, and seal the tooth with biocompatible filling material. Most retreatments are completed in one or two visits depending on the complexity of the case.