Root Canal Retreatment

With good care, most teeth that have had an RCT treatment can last as long as your other teeth.

In a few cases, a tooth that has received an RCT fails to heal. These teeth becomes painful or diseased months or years after the initial treatment.

In these instances it may be possible to carry out another RCT treatment, to try and save the tooth.

Who performs endodontic retreatment?

Endodontic retreatment is a challenging procedure, therefore your dentist will normally refer you to a Specialist Endodontist.

Why do I need another RCT?

Sometimes a tooth may not heal as expected . 

This could be due to:

• Missed root canals not being treated
• Delay in sealing (crown or filling) the tooth, allowing bacteria to reinfect the tooth
• Inadequate crown or filling coverage 
• Broken filling or crown over the RCT tooth
• New decay exposing the tooth core, leading to reinfection

What will happen during retreatment?

First, Dr Maria will discuss all your options with you. 

If retreatment is the right treatment for you, Dr Maria will reopen your tooth to take the infection.

Thats might require removing a crown, post and core material to allow access to the root canals.

After removing the root canal filling, she will clean the canals and examine the inside of your tooth. We are looking for any additional canals that require treatment.

Once done, we will fill and seal the canals and place a temporary filling on the tooth. 

After we have completed the retreatment, we will return you to your dentist to have a crown or filling placed on the tooth. This needs to be done as soon as possible. 

Is retreatment the best solution?

When possible, it is always best to save your tooth. Retreated teeth can function normally for years to come. 

Advances in RCT treatments mean that Dr Maria may use a new technique that wasn’t available when you had your first RCT.

There are no guarantees but we can offer you the best chance of success with early retreatment. 

How much will the procedure cost?

The cost varies depending upon the complexity of the procedure. All fees will be outlined to you at your consultation.

In general, a retreatment will be more complex than your first RCT. We may need to remove a crown for instance, study a CT Scan or remove existing filling material in the tooth root canals. We will also need to get to the root cause of the reinfection.

So you can expect retreatment to cost more than the initial endodontic treatment.

Dental insurance may cover part or all of the cost for retreatment, but check with your insurance company prior to retreatment to be sure of your coverage.

What are the alternatives to retreatment?

If an RCT is not an option, then endodontic surgery could be considered. This involves making an incision to allow access to the tip of the root. Dr. Maria will discuss your options and recommend appropriate treatment.

What are the alternatives to endodontic retreatment and/or endodontic surgery?

The only other option is extraction of the tooth. It will then be replaced with an implant, bridge or denture to allow chewing function and to prevent nearby teeth from moving. 

These options can prove to be far more costly. Please remember that nothing is as good as your own natural tooth.