Root canal treatment has a long history and a high success rate. However, there are still situations when retreatment of the tooth may be necessary. Dr. Bindu Kolli has the skills and experience to preserve teeth even when they cause persistent pain and fail to heal properly the first time. Under Dr. Kolli’s care at Southfork Dental, patients in and around Plano, Irving, and Frisco, Texas avoid the loss/extraction of a damaged tooth. They keep the best tooth – a natural, healthy one – intact, avoiding the need for more extensive and costly tooth replacement. Here are four facts about what to expect after root canal therapy and the retreatment process.
1 – Be aware of “red flags” that your tooth is not healing properly.
It is normal after any restorative dentistry procedure to experience some sensitivity or soreness. However, these effects should be short-lived and relatively minor. If you experience persistent and even worsening pain and pressure, or if the treated tooth continues to feel “different” than its neighbors, contact us right away. Dr. Kolli can re-evaluate your tooth and recommend additional treatment based on what she finds.
2 – Problems can arise long after the tooth is treated.
Complications can develop months or years after the initial treatment. Fortunately, there are ways to potentially avoid these later-stage root canal failures. We provide you with clear instructions on how to care for your tooth. For instance, restoring the tooth with a crown quickly strengthens it and helps to prevent future reinfection/damage. Brushing and flossing consistently and well also minimizes the risk of the tooth becoming infected again. Good home care must be combined with regular professional care, because Dr. Kolli and our team have special tools and techniques to keep your teeth and dental restorations healthy. With proper care, root canal-treated teeth can last for the rest of your life.
3 – Retreatment can resolve several issues with your tooth.
There are many potential reasons to retreat a tooth. Sometimes, the size or curvature of the root canals themselves can be challenging to treat. Other times, Dr. Kolli has re-treated teeth that were crowned late. In some cases, the crown may become cracked or worn, which exposes the tooth to harmful bacteria. When the tooth fails to heal or is infected again, Dr. Kolli can “re-do” the procedure and resolve pain and infection once and for all.
4 – Retreatment targets your specific needs.
Retreatment is generally completed with the following steps, tailored to overcome the specific challenges that have interfered with proper healing:
- Dr. Kolli removes the root canal filling material.
- As needed, she locates root canals that were not treated the first time.
- Next, she thoroughly cleans or sterilizes the canals.
- The inner part of your tooth is examined for cracks or leakage.
- After no signs of infection are left, Dr. Kolli fills and seals off the canals. The retreated tooth is now effectively protected from harmful bacteria/reinfection.
- Before a new crown is placed, your tooth’s healing is closely monitored. Be sure to follow all instructions for aftercare and maintain follow-up appointments as recommended by your dentist.
Just because your tooth didn’t heal the first time, it doesn’t mean it is a loss! If you are concerned about changes to your tooth or how it is healing after a treatment, do not delay in contacting us. The sooner we can see you, the better the chances of successful treatment. Call Southfork Dental to schedule an appointment at one of our two area offices – (469) 535-6939 (Plano) or (972) 544-5446 (Irving, TX).
