Why Do I Need a Root Canal Retreatment?

Nobody wants to need a root canal, but most people find that after the procedure they feel much better. Even more promising is that they get to keep their treated tooth. But sometimes, root canals don’t always go as planned, and you may find yourself needing a second root canal known as a retreatment months or even years down the road. But why does this happen, and how likely is it to happen to you? Here’s what you need to know about needing a root canal redo.

What is a Root Canal?

A root canal is a procedure that is performed on an infected tooth. Your dentist will open up the tooth, clear away the infected pulp, replace the pulp with synthetic pulp, and then close the tooth back up with a filling or crown. The tooth will then be healthy and unable to spread the infection to other teeth.

How Long Do Root Canals Last?

In theory, your root canal should last a lifetime. Unfortunately, however, things can sometimes go awry, causing your root canal to need a retreatment procedure. This does not mean you will lose the tooth after all. In fact, retreatment procedures are often very successful.

What Is a Retreatment?

Retreatment is very similar to a root canal. First, your dentist will numb the area around the tooth and remove the crown or open it back up. They will then go through the tooth canals and look for any new or missed infection and remove it. Once the infection is cleared away, the tooth can be re-filled with synthetic pulp, and sealed back up. This may require a new crown, or you may only need a filling.

Why Do Root Canals Fail?

Root canals can fail for many reasons. These include:

• A reinfection due to a damaged restoration or tooth.
• A delayed crown placement left your tooth vulnerable to new infection.
• Additional tooth decay that forms a new infection.
• Hidden bacteria from the original infection that your dentist may have missed.

Remember, accidents happen and just because your original root canal failed doesn’t mean you did anything wrong. If you need a retreatment, don’t panic. Your dentist will help get rid of any new infection and get your tooth back to feeling great again.

About Dr. Plasha

Dr. Bradford Plasha truly cares about how he makes his patients look and feel. He is proud to provide comfortable, compassionate service to families and individuals of all ages. He is a Fellow in the International Dental Implant Association. As well as a member of the American Dental Association and Pennsylvania Dental Association.

To schedule a root canal or retreatment at The Dental Spot of Collegeville, please visit our website or call us today at 484-854-6900.