Do You Need Root Canal Retreatment?
Even with proper care and treatment, teeth can develop complications, sometimes years after having the initial procedure performed. Patients whose first dental filling, dental crown, or root canal therapy procedure didn’t eliminate their symptoms can still avoid losing their tooth with endodontic (root canal) retreatment. The doctors at Brooklyn Heights Dental® in Brooklyn Heights, NY, prefer to preserve natural tooth structure when possible, rather than losing it to decay or infection. Dr. Eugene Stanislaus and Dr. Lisa Reid are passionate about helping you maintain your natural smile for a lifetime. The moment pain or discomfort develops after your first procedure, contact our offices right away to prevent further damage from occurring.
When Is Endodontic Retreatment Necessary?
Because dental technology is ever changing, our doctors can provide the latest methods and techniques when performing your endodontic retreatment that may not have been available during your initial procedure. Treating the infection with a conservative endodontic retreatment is preferable to an extraction. We will always do our best to save your natural tooth. Extracting a tooth will require additional, more costly and extensive restorative treatments, such as a dental bridge or implant-supported crown to prevent further issues.
Treating the infection with a conservative endodontic retreatment is preferable to an extraction.
Who Is a Candidate?
Even under the best care, a tooth may not respond well to root canal therapy. Because each patient and tooth is unique, patients will respond differently to dental procedures.
Possible reasons for infection and complications can include:
- Infection wasn’t completely removed due to narrow or curved root canals
- Salivary contamination
- Improper crown placement
- Delayed placement of a crown
- Loose or cracked crown
- Fractured tooth
What Happens during Endodontic Retreatment?
During the consultation, the doctor will perform a series of tests using the latest x-ray and imaging technology to determine the location and extent of damage. He or she will then meet with you to discuss the retreatment options and create a customized plan to meet your unique needs.
Before beginning the treatment, the doctor will administer anesthesia to numb the tooth and surrounding tissue. Once you are comfortable, the doctor will remove the dental crown and use special dental instrumentation to access the inside of the tooth.
The doctor will remove any gutta-percha filling and posts within the tooth in order to thoroughly clean and disinfect the inner tooth and root canals. He or she will place careful attention on any additional canals that may have been missed during the initial procedure. For canals that are blocked, curved, or extremely narrow, the doctor may recommend endodontic surgery.
Once the canals have been thoroughly treated, the doctor will refill the tooth with gutta-percha to help the tooth keep its natural shape and seal it from further infection. A dental crown will then be designed and placed over the tooth in order to strengthen it and restore complete dental function. At Brooklyn Heights Dental, we offer same-day crowns, thanks to our in-house CEREC® system.
Experiencing a Failed Root Canal Therapy?
If you are having difficulty after undergoing a dental procedure, you don’t have to live with discomfort. Let our trusted team at Brooklyn Heights Dental alleviate your symptoms with an endodontic retreatment. Contact us online or by calling (718) 857-6639 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Stanislaus or Dr. Reid.
