Endodontic Revision or Retreatment

As with any medical or dental procedure, sometimes healing does not go as expected. For a tooth, this could be due to contamination of the root canal system from decay, defective restorations resulting in salivary leakage, trauma, cracks, or there may be areas of the root system not treated during the initial endodontic procedure. 

1. If a tooth with existing endodontic treatment has developed pain &/or disease, Dr. Thayer will evaluate the tooth and discuss the options. If endodontic retreatment is chosen, the tooth will be opened, and the root canal filling materials will be removed. In some cases, restorative materials such as crowns, posts, and core materials will need to be removed to achieve access to the canal systems. If the tooth already has a crown and the restoration is in good condition, access of the root canals can be achieved by going through the crown. 

1. Once the filling materials are removed, Dr. Thayer will disinfect the canals and examine the internal aspect of the tooth to search for any additional canals or other anatomy that requires intervention. The CBCT, or 3D imaging, will also aid in locating these areas. 
2. Once the canals have been appropriately cleaned, the retreatment procedure will be completed with placement of new root canal filling materials. Then, either a temporary or permanent filling will be placed to seal the tooth. If a new crown is necessary, you will need to return to your dentist for restorative care. 
3. In some cases, a retreatment procedure will need to be completed in multiple visits. This depends on the severity of the disease process and findings during the retreatment procedure.