Root Canal Retreatment

A second chance for your tooth: A guide to retreatment if root canal treatment fails

When root canal treatment is performed properly, and the tooth is restored with a high-quality crown or filling afterwards, it can last a lifetime.  However, these procedures are not always performed optimally the first time around and some root canal procedures need to be redone if the tooth is to be saved.

It is not uncommon to experience tenderness for the first couple of days following root canal treatment, but if you have persistent pain or tenderness, or the tooth just “feels different” from its neighbors, retreatment may be necessary. Ongoing pain can indicate that the tooth is not healing correctly. Under certain circumstances, disease or pain can arise in the treated tooth months or even years following treatment.

A few examples of problems with root canal procedures that we have successfully retreated include: 

• Narrow, curved canals, or other anatomical complexities that were not detected or treated adequately during the treatment.
• Failure of the dental restoration designed to protect the treated tooth.
• Crown placement was delayed, allowing bacteria to contaminate the root canals.
• A tooth that was successfully treated but has become reinfected due to decay, leakage or loss of the crown or filling.
• The treated tooth sustains a fracture or crack.
• Old or worn-down dental work that exposes the tooth to bacterial leakage.

Retreatment is a procedure that is performed every day by Drs. Rick Davis and Rick Schwartz at Endodontic Consultants in San Antonio.  We are privileged to work with many of the best restorative dentists and specialists in San Antonio as well as surrounding communities such as Boerne, Spring Branch, Eagle Pass, Laredo, Kerrville, Del Rio, Fredericksburg. These doctors rely on us to preserve their patients’ natural teeth.

If you are concerned about how a treated tooth is healing or suspect the tooth needs to be treated again, do not delay reaching out to us. Schedule your consultation by calling (210) 405-0473.