Root Canal Retreatment – Lorain, OH
Problems After Root Canal Therapy? We Can Help
The vast majority of patients don’t experience any issues after root canal therapy and simply enjoy lasting relief from their pain. Unfortunately, no treatment is infallible; sometimes you may notice discomfort in the tooth that was treated, which could either be the result of improper healing or the warning sign of an entirely new problem. If you get in touch with our Parkway Endodontics of Lorain office, Dr. Vaziri and Dr. James can give you a second chance at saving your tooth with root canal retreatment or help you by answering your questions.
Why Choose Parkway Endodontics of Lorain for Root Canal Retreatment?
- We Consider Our Patients Our Partners
- Knowledgeable and Straightforward Endodontists
- Relaxing Oral Sedation Available
What Is Root Canal Retreatment?
As the name implies, root canal retreatment is a procedure that is performed on a tooth that has already received root canal therapy. It is often the best chance for saving your tooth in situations where the initial root canal has failed. We may recommend root canal retreatment if you are experiencing pain in the tooth in question or if there are any other signs that there’s a new issue that needs to be addressed.
Why Would I Need Root Canal Retreatment?
Here are some of the most common reasons that a retreatment might be necessary:
- The tooth did not heal correctly, possibly due to complicated canal anatomy that was not originally accounted for.
- A crown was not placed on the tooth in time.
- A new cavity may have allowed bacteria to enter the tooth.
- The tooth in question sustained new damage, or the crown protecting it has cracked or compromised.
The Root Canal Retreatment Process
The conventional retreatment is a two-appointment procedure at our office in most instances. During the first visit, a small opening will be made either in your tooth or through your crown. The filling material that was previously used will be removed, and the inside of the canals will be cleaned again. We’ll check carefully for any unusual anatomy that may have been missed the first time. After the cleaning, a medication will be placed within the canals and a temporary filling will be placed in the tooth. We ask that the medication stay within the tooth for at least a week before you return for the second appointment. At the second appointment, the temporary filling will be removed and the medication will be taken out. After a final cleaning of the canals is completed, new gutta percha fillings will be placed within the canals and a temporary filling will be placed in the tooth. Then you will return to your general dentist for the final restoration. In the event that your crown is damaged or comes off during the procedure, it is recommended that a new crown is placed as soon as possible.
Root Canal Retreatment FAQs
Are There Any Alternatives to Root Canal Retreatment?
One alternative to having root canal retreatment performed would be to have the tooth extracted altogether. But while this would remove the source of the problem, it would also mean leaving a significant gap in your smile. This can have consequences of its own, such as causing your remaining teeth to drift out of place. In general, it’s better to save a natural tooth whenever you can. Thus, we recommend having a root canal retreatment performed in order to restore your oral health while leaving your natural smile intact.
Is Root Canal Retreatment Painful?
Much like a regular root canal procedure, a root canal retreatment is nowhere near as painful as many patients might assume it is. A local anesthetic will be applied to keep your mouth numb during the procedure. This will prevent you from experiencing any discomfort while we are working with your tooth.
Of course, some patients may nevertheless be nervous about having root canal retreatment performed. As such, we may recommend oral sedation to help you stay relaxed while you’re in the treatment chair.
What Can I Expect After a Root Canal Retreatment?
Once your root canal retreatment is complete, it will take a few days for your mouth to recover. There may be some discomfort as well as swelling. You can manage these symptoms by taking over-the-counter pain medication and periodically holding a cold compress over the area where the treatment is performed.
You’ll need to maintain a diet of only soft foods while your mouth is healing. If you need to chew, avoid doing so with the side of the mouth where the tooth in question is located.
If your post-treatment discomfort doesn’t go away or seems to get worse, give our team a call. We’ll let you know what steps need to be taken to resolve the issue and protect your overall oral health.
How Much Will Root Canal Retreatment Cost?
The answer to this question can vary from patient to patient. Generally speaking, it depends on how complex you can expect the procedure to be. Dental insurance is also a factor; many insurance companies will cover at least part of the cost of retreatment, with the exact percentage depending on the specifics of your plan. Don’t hesitate to let our team know if you have any questions regarding the cost of root canal retreatment.
What is the Success Rate of Root Canal Retreatment?
Research published by the Journal of Endodontics found that the success rate of root canal retreatment is as high as 88.42%. Needless to say, this makes it a very reliable option that is well worth considering if it seems like the original root canal procedure has failed. In many cases, a root canal retreatment could potentially mean the difference between losing a tooth and being able to keep it for years to come.
