Endodontic Retreatment

Contact us at 603-882-5455 to schedule an appointment in our Hudson, NH office.

For most patients, root canals are successful and last a lifetime. In rare circumstances, a tooth that has had a root canal in the past will become infected or compromised again and require endodontic retreatment. This procedure gives you a second chance to save your natural tooth. Endodontic retreatment has a high rate of success, helping patients avoid needing to have a tooth extracted and replaced with a bridge or dental implant.

Why Endodontic Retreatment Is Needed

Some of the reasons you might require endodontic retreatment include:

Your previously treated tooth heals improperly or becomes painful again after your initial root canal.
Your treated tooth is reinfected due to new decay.
The treated tooth has complicated canal anatomy that wasn’t detected or fully treated during your first treatment.
Your restoration was not secure, causing salivary contamination.
The dental crown or filling on the treated tooth becomes loose, cracked, or falls off.
Your previously treated tooth fractures or breaks.

What Happens During Endodontic Retreatment

Like your initial root canal treatment, endodontic retreatment is performed to save your natural tooth, alleviate dental and facial pain, and promote healing.

The treatment begins by numbing the tooth and the tissue surrounding it with local anesthetic to ensure your comfort as we work. The tooth is opened, then the filling is removed and the canals are cleaned and disinfected. We will carefully examine your tooth using an endodontic microscope; in some cases, additional canals or complex anatomy may be found and require treatment. Once all of the canals are cleaned and shaped, new filling material is placed inside the tooth to prevent reinfection.

Frequently Asked Questions About Endodontic Retreatment

Is retreatment of a root canal painful?

Endodontic retreatment is not painful, as your tooth and the area surrounding it will be numbed before we begin any work. Once the local anesthesia wears off, you may experience some sensitivity and soreness, but this is typically mild and can be relieved with over-the-counter pain medication.

What happens if root canal treatment fails?

Every patient is different, but generally speaking, when root canal treatment fails, your options are to pursue endodontic treatment with either endodontic retreatment or endodontic surgery, or to have your tooth extracted and replaced with a bridge or dental implant.

Can you retreat a failed root canal?

Yes, unless a tooth is severely compromised and requires extraction, you are likely a candidate for endodontic retreatment.

Do I need root canal retreatment?

The only way to determine if endodontic retreatment is needed is to schedule an in-person evaluation, but some signs that you may need another root canal are if your treated tooth becomes sensitive, painful, or uncomfortable.

How much does endodontic retreatment cost?

The cost of endodontic retreatment depends upon the canal anatomy and complexity of the procedure. Your dental insurance plan may cover all or part of the cost of your treatment.

Are you looking for an endodontist in Hudson or Hooksett, NH? Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

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Hudson

182 Central Street

Hudson, NH 03051

603-882-5455

Hookset

1310 Hooksett Road

Hooksett, NH 03106

603-628-2891

Moultonborough

60 Whittier Hwy, Unit 1

Moultonborough, NH 03254

603-253-5224