What is Retreat Root Canal Therapy?

Root canal therapy, or endodontic treatment, is a dental procedure to treat a damaged or infected tooth. Retreat root canal therapy is a secondary procedure performed if initial root canal treatment is unsuccessful.

Several factors can contribute to the failure of initial root canal therapy. Some of the common reasons are:

1. Incomplete removal of infected or damaged tissue: During the initial root canal therapy, it is possible that the dentist may miss some infected or damaged tissue, which can cause the treatment to fail.
2. Narrow or curved canals: The shape of the canals in a tooth can make it difficult to clean and disinfect them thoroughly. In such cases, the dentist may miss some infected or damaged tissue, leading to initial root canal therapy failure.
3. Poor sealing of the canals: The canals must be appropriately sealed to prevent bacteria and saliva from entering and re-infecting the tooth. The initial root canal therapy may fail if the sealing is not done properly.
4. New infections: A tooth that has undergone root canal therapy may get re-infected due to new decay or a new cavity.

Retreat root canal therapy aims to remove the remaining infected or damaged tissue, disinfect the canal, and reseal it. This is important to prevent further damage or infection to the surrounding teeth, gums, and jaw.

Root canal therapy is necessary when the soft tissue inside the tooth, known as the pulp, becomes infected or inflamed due to injury, decay, or a deep cavity. The pulp contains nerves and blood vessels that supply the tooth, and if it becomes infected or inflamed, the only option to save the tooth is to remove the infected or damaged tissue.

Retreat root canal therapy is more complex than initial root canal therapy. First, the endodontist has to remove the previous filling material and access the tooth's canals. The endodontist will then clean, disinfect, and reshape the canals before placing a new filling material to seal the canals.

The success rate of retreat root canal therapy is high when performed by a skilled and experienced endodontist. In some cases, a crown or a cap may be required to strengthen the tooth after retreat root canal therapy. The dentist will examine the tooth and determine the best course of action for each case.

Retreat root canal therapy is performed under local anesthesia, and our patients' comfort is a top priority. The procedure may take slightly longer than the initial root canal therapy and sometimes require more than one visit, but the result is a saved tooth free from pain and infection.

If you are experiencing pain or discomfort after initial root canal therapy, it is important to seek the advice of an endodontist. They can examine the tooth and determine if retreat root canal therapy is necessary.

In conclusion, retreat root canal therapy is a secondary procedure that is performed when initial root canal therapy has failed. This treatment aims to remove the remaining infected or damaged tissue, disinfect the canal, and reseal it to prevent further damage or infection. The procedure is pain-free and highly successful when performed by a skilled and experienced endodontist. Therefore, if you are experiencing pain or discomfort after initial root canal therapy, it is important to seek the advice of an endodontist.