When performed properly, root canal treatment has a very high success rate. Unfortunately, this procedure is not always performed properly, infection remains in the tooth and prevents healing, sometimes with persistent symptoms. In many cases root canal retreatment can be performed successfully eliminating the infection, relieving symptoms with resultant healing of the bone and soft tissues.
At Endodontic Consultants of San Antonio, Drs. Rick Davis and Rick Schwartz spend almost half of their time retreating failing root canal treatments performed by others. They can retreat your tooth even if it fails years later after the initial treatment.
Why might I need root canal retreatment?
While you hope your root canal treatment to last a lifetime, unfortunately, this is not always the case. Some of the common reasons for failure include
- Root canal systems that are not cleaned well in the initial procedure
- Contamination of the root canal filling if the tooth is not restored immediately
- Loose or leaky crowns or fillings
- Tooth decay, causing reinfection
- A crack in the tooth
- Saliva contaminating your treated tooth
In many of these situations, retreatment will prolong the life of your tooth. Dr. Davis and Schwartz restore the teeth immediately after they complete root canal treatment, so contamination is not an issue for the teeth they treat.
What to expect during the procedure
Like the initial root canal, retreatment starts with administering anesthesia to ensure the procedure is pain-free. If a crown is present, it may be removed or a small hole is made in it to gain access to the pulp and the canals in the roots. The original filling material in the root canals is removed, and the canals are thoroughly cleaned and flushed out. The roots are sealed to prevent subsequent bacterial invasion and the access hole is filled with a permanent filling. In some cases, a new crown is recommended.
The majority of the time, root canal retreatment is preferable to losing your tooth. If the tooth is extracted and has to be replaced with a bridge or implant, the time involved and cost are much greater than retreatment, and may not feel as natural as your original tooth.
Root canal retreatment in San Antonio, Texas
Do you suspect your root canal treatment is failing and needs retreatment? Please dial (210) 405-0473 to book an appointment with Endodontic Consultants of San Antonio. Endodontic retreatment by Drs. Rick Davis and Rick Schwartz is a viable option to give your tooth a second chance.
Dr. Richard Davis, DDS
Richard D. Davis, DDS, graduated from high school in Japan, attended the
University of Washington dental school, and joined the Air Force as a general dentist in 1978. He completed the Air Force one-year AEGD residency, a two-year Advanced General Dentistry Residency, and a fellowship in biomaterials at the
University of Indiana. Dr. Davis was a clinical instructor, research director, and lecturer at the Air Force. He has published many scientific articles and research papers, and has lectured on many topics. Following retirement from the Air Force in 1999, he completed the graduate program in endodontics at the
University of Oregon in 2001, and joined Dr. Schwartz and has been in private practice in endodontics since then.
Dr. Richard Schwartz, DDS
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Richard S. Schwartz, DDS, graduated from the
University of Minnesota dental school in 1977. He was a restorative dentist for 19 years: Early in his career, he attended a two-year general dentistry residency while in the US Air Force, and then did a combination of private practice, teaching, and dental materials research before entering endodontic post-graduate training in 1996. He has authored over 100 articles and abstracts in scientific journals and lectured extensively in the US and in 21 other countries, including 12 times at the American Association of Endodontists’ national meeting. Since 1998 Dr. Schwartz has been in full-time private practice in endodontics in San Antonio, TX, and has practiced with Dr. Davis since 2001. He was a founding member and first secretary/treasurer of the
International Association of Endodontics. He is also a member of the
American Dental Association and
International Association of Dental Specialists.
Dr. Zhangrui Liang, DDS, MS
Dr. Zhangrui “Zac” Liang, DDS, MS, grew up in China and has been in the US since 2015. He attended dental school in China and did his endodontic training at
UCLA, where he also received a Masters of Science degree. He has practiced with Dr. Davis and Dr. Schwartz since 2022.
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