A root canal is one of the common dental procedures. This endodontic treatment is performed to resolve tooth decay and save your teeth from extraction. Although successful, the treatment may not yield the expected results at times. If this happens, it may warrant a root canal retreatment.
If you are experiencing problems with your root canal lately, visit your family dentist as soon as possible. Keeping your dental anxieties and worries at bay, visiting a dentist will save your teeth from further damage. If you’re curious about what retreatment of a root canal involves, this article will help you understand the procedure. Let us have a look.
What is Root Canal Retreatment?
As the name suggests, root canal retreatment is required when a previous root canal has failed. Although the failure rate of canals is comparatively low, there are instances when complications may arise after the first root canal.
The main purpose of a root canal is to eliminate constant tooth pain and save your natural tooth. When bacteria enter the inner dental pulp, it leads to inflammation and infection that causes severe pain. Root canals remove the infected pulp while preserving the structure of the tooth. If a patient experiences recurring pain in a previously treated tooth, bacteria may have re-entered the tooth, necessitating retreatment.
What are the Benefits of Root Canal Retreatment?
Root canal retreatment may provide many benefits, including:
- Instant pain relief.
- Tooth preservation.
- Cost-effective.
- Normal functioning of the natural tooth.
- Prevent the spread of infection.
- Improved oral health.
- Improved tooth appearance.
- Correction of previous treatment issues.
What are the Causes of Root Canal Retreatment?
Root canal retreatment may be require due to the following:
1. Previous Treatment Complications
The main reason for the retreatment of root canals is a problem with the previous treatment. Problems with previous root canals occur when the dental issues are not completely address. For instance, the dentist may have either miss one of the canals within the tooth, or the pulp remnants may be left behind, resulting in recurring pain and infection.
2. Dental Fractures or Cracks
Some unaddressed dental fractures or cracks allow bacteria to enter and infect the tooth again. In addition, delayed placement of a dental restoration or crown can also leave the teeth exposed to bacteria, which can weaken them over time, resulting in severe complications.
3. New Infection
Throughout their lives, teeth are subject to continuous wear and strain. Therefore, even following a root canal, these are more vulnerable to further damage or infection. For example, gum disease can cause an infection. New cavities can develop around old fillings, and external trauma can harm the root canal.
What are the Signs that Indicate Root Canal Retreatment?
The common symptoms that indicate a root canal retreatment include:
- Tenderness in the gum tissue near where the root canal was performed.
- Tooth sensitivity or pain when biting down.
- A pimple in the jaw.
- Tooth discoloration.
- Sudden pain in the root canal.
- Presence of pus near the treated tooth.
- Facial or neck swelling.
- Swelling near the affected tooth.
Problems in biting down after a root canal are normal. Since the teeth take some time to heal, you may feel discomfort for several days following the treatment. If, however, you experience persistent pain that is also impacting your daily routine, visit a dentist at the earliest.
What is the Procedure for Root Canal Retreatment?
Root canal retreatment is performed much like the original but may require more steps and take a bit longer to complete. The procedure starts with a thorough examination of your tooth to determine the need for retreatment and estimate the treatment time.
The dentist will start by extracting the current filling material and making a canal opening if retreatment is necessary. This is follow by draining the remaining bacteria with an antiseptic solution before reshaping the root canal. A biocompatible material is place into the canal for reinforcement and filling is place on the top of the tooth.
What are the Complications of a Root Canal Retreatment?
Similar to any dental procedure, a root canal retreatment may also cause certain complications. This involves longer healing time, recurring infection, further damage to the tooth, and pain.
Healing after retreatment may vary depending on the complexity of the procedure. In general, you can expect complete healing between one to four weeks.
Takeaway
Root canal retreatment is an effective way to save your damaged or infected tooth from extraction. Healing time after the retreatment may depend on the complexity of the procedure and may take about one to four weeks. During this period, it is important to adhere to good oral hygiene and follow your dentist’s instructions for speeding up the healing process.
Get Your Root Canals Fixed at Valley Ridge Dental!
If you are experiencing persistent pain with your previous root canal and notice swelling in the area, there are chances that your root canal might have failed. Visit our expert dentists at Valley Ridge Dental to get your root canal checked and receive a right away. Our specialists can also guide you in developing a comprehensive plan for long-lasting and effective oral health.
Schedule an appointment with us today!
You can also contact us at (651) 439-0322.
Alternatively, you can visit us at 12425 55th St N Suite B, Lake Elmo, MN 55042.
