East Greenbush Endodontic Retreatment

With the appropriate care, your teeth that have had endodontic treatment will last as long as other natural teeth. Yet, a tooth that has received treatment may fail to heal or pain may continue to exist. Sometimes, the pain may occur months or years after treatment. If so, Dr. Langan may need to perform Endodontic Retreatment.

Does Your Tooth Still Hurt After a Root Canal?

Dr. Langan can perform Endodontic Retreatment to relieve pain and save your natural teeth!

Call us: 518-477-5155

Improper healing may be caused by:

  • Curved or narrow canals that were not treated during the initial treatment.
  • Complicated canals that went undetected during the initial treatment.
  • The crown or restoration was not placed within the appropriate amount of time following the procedure.
  • The crown or restoration that did not prevent saliva from contaminating the inside of the tooth.
An example of a tooth with inflamed tissue
Inflamed Tissue
A visual of removing fillings from a tooth
Filling Removed
A representation of a tooth with its canals cleaned
Canals Cleaned
An illustration of new root filling material placed into a tooth's canals
Root Material Placed
An example of a tooth's filling restored by new root canal filling
Filling Restored
A representation of a fully healed tooth by new root canal filling placed
Healed Tooth

In some cases, new problems can influence a tooth that was successfully treated:

  • New decay can expose a root canal filling material, causing infection.
  • A cracked or loose filling or crown can expose the tooth to new infection.

Once retreatment has been selected as a solution to your problem, the doctors will reopen your tooth to gain access to the root canal filling material. This restorative material will be removed to enable access to the root canal. The doctors will now clean your canals and carefully examine the inside of the problematic tooth. Once cleaned, the doctors will fill and seal the canals and place a temporary filling in the tooth.

At this point, you will need to return to your dentist as soon as possible in order to have a new crown or restoration placed on the tooth to restore full functionality.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ENDODONTIC RETREATMENT: 

1. What is endodontic retreatment?

Answer: Endodontic retreatment is a procedure performed to address issues that arise after a previous root canal treatment. This may involve redoing the root canal to remove any remaining infected tissue, cleaning, and sealing the tooth again.

2. Why would I need endodontic retreatment?

Answer: Retreatments are necessary when:

  • Infection persists or returns.
  • The tooth develops new decay or cracks.
  • The initial treatment was not completed properly.
  • A new issue arises, such as a failing restoration.

3. What are the signs that I might need retreatment?

Answer: Signs may include:

  • Persistent or returning tooth pain.
  • Swelling or tenderness in the gums.
  • Discoloration of the tooth.
  • Increased sensitivity to temperature.

4. Is endodontic retreatment painful?

Answer: Local anesthesia is used during the procedure to minimize discomfort. Most patients find retreatment similar in pain level to the original root canal. Some mild discomfort may occur afterward, but it can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain relief.

5. What is the success rate of endodontic retreatment?

Answer: The success rate for endodontic retreatment is generally high, ranging from 70% to 90%, depending on factors like the tooth’s condition, the reason for retreatment, and the overall health of the tooth.