East Side Dental Specialists
315-637-3930
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  • Oral Surgery Patient Information
    • Introduction
      • General Information
      • First Visit
      • Scheduling
    • Pediatric Patients - Special Note
    • Wisdom Teeth & Impacted Teeth
      • Dialogue
    • Impacted Canines
      • Dialogue
      • CBCT (Three-dimensional Imaging)
    • Dental Implants
      • Dialogue
      • CBCT (Three-dimensional Imaging)
      • Cases
    • Bone Grafting & Socket Preservation
    • Biopsies
    • Injuries to the Teeth & Surrounding Dental Structures
    • Sleep Apnea
    • Home Care/ Post-Op Instructions
      • Instructions For Patients Wishing IV Sedation Or Nitrous Oxide
      • After Extractions
      • After 3rd Molar
      • After Exposure
      • After Implant
    • CBCT (Three-dimensional Imaging) & Digital Films
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  • Endodontic Patient Information
    • General Information
      • We Create Comfort For You
      • What's A Root Canal?
      • Before Your First Visit
      • Your First Visit
      • Why Come For a Consultation?
      • Scheduling
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    • Home Care Instructions
      • Before Your First Visit Checklist
      • Instructions Prior to Root Canal Treatment
      • Instructions For Patients Wishing IV Sedation Or Nitrous Oxide
      • Instructions After Root Canal Treatment
      • Instructions for Relief of Abscess
      • Instructions If You Have Difficulty Opening Your Mouth
      • Instructions for the Treatment of a Hematoma
    • CT Scan & Digital Films
    • Scientific Explanation
      • Non-Surgical Endodontic Treatment
      • Endodontic Retreatment
      • Cracked Teeth
      • Endodontic Surgery
      • Traumatic Dental Injuries
    • Interactive Overview of Root Canal Treatment
    • A few Teeth Treated by Dr. Katsarsky
    • Some Interesting CBCT Findings
    • Links of Interest
  • Referring Doctors
    • Endodontic Referrals
      • General Information
      • Referral Form
      • A few Cases Treated by Dr. Katsarsky
      • Some Interesting CBCT Findings
      • Links of Interest
      • Publications of Interest
    • Oral Surgery Referrals
  • Patient Education Videos
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  • MEET US
    • Meet Dr. Konys
    • Meet Dr. Katsarsky
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    • Office Tour
  • FINANCIAL INFORMATION
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    • Please note…
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  • PATIENT REGISTRATION
  • HELPFUL FORMS/INSTRUCTIONS
    • Before Your First Visit Checklist
    • Instructions Prior to Root Canal Treatment
    • Instructions After Your Treatment Visit
    • Instructions for Relief of Abscess
    • Instructions If You Have Difficulty Opening Your Mouth
    • Instructions for the Treatment of a Hematoma
    • After Extractions
    • After 3rd Molar
    • After Exposure
    • After Implant

Scientific Explanation

  • Non-Surgical Treatment
    • What is Endodontic Treatment?
    • Who Performs Endodontic Teatment?
    • Why Would I Need an Endodontic Procedure?
    • What Are the Signs of Needing Endodontic Treatment?
    • How Does Endodontic Treatment Save the Tooth?
    • Will I Feel Pain During or After the Procedure?
    • Will the Tooth Need Any Care After Treatment?
    • What Causes Treated Teeth to Require Additional Treatment?
    • Can all Teeth be Treated?
  • Endodontic Retreatment
    • Why Would I Need Another Endodontic Procedure?
    • What Will Happen During Retreatment?
    • Is Retreatment the Best Choice for me?
    • Alternatives to Retreatment
    • Alternatives to Retreatment and Surgical Treatment
  • Cracked Teeth
  • Endodontic Surgery
  • Traumatic Dental Injuries

Endodontic Retreatment

Why do I need another endodontic procedure?

As occasionally happens with any dental or medical procedure, a tooth may not heal as expected after initial treatment for a variety of reasons:

  • Narrow or curved canals were not treated during the initial procedure.
  • Non-Surgical Endodontic Treatment Illustration

  • Complicated canal anatomy went undetected in the first procedure.
  • The placement of the crown or other restoration was delayed following the endodontic treatment.
  • The restoration did not prevent salivary contamination to the inside of the tooth.

In other cases, a new problem can jeopardize a tooth that was successfully treated. For example:

  • New decay can expose the root canal filling material to bacteria, causing a new infection in the tooth.
  • Non-Surgical Endodontic Treatment Illustration

  • A loose, cracked or broken crown or filling can expose the tooth to new infection.
  • A tooth sustains a fracture.

What will happen during retreatment?

First, the endodontist will discuss your treatment options. If you and your endodontist choose retreatment, the endodontist will reopen your tooth to gain access to the root canal filling material. In many cases, complex restorative materials—crown, post and core material—must be disassembled and removed to permit access to the root canals.

Non-Surgical Endodontic Treatment Illustration

After removing the canal filling, the endodontist can clean the canals and carefully examine the inside of your tooth using magnification and illumination, searching for any additional canals or unusual anatomy that requires treatment.

Non-Surgical Endodontic Treatment Illustration

After cleaning the canals, the endodontist will fill and seal the canals and place a temporary filling in the tooth. If the canals are unusually narrow or blocked, your endodontist may recommend endodontic surgery. This surgery involves making an incision to allow the other end of the root to be sealed.

Non-Surgical Endodontic Treatment Illustration

After your endodontist completes retreatment, you will need to return to your dentist as soon as possible to have a new crown or other restoration placed on the tooth to protect and restore it to its full function.

Non-Surgical Endodontic Treatment Illustration

Is retreatment the best choice for me?

Whenever possible, it is best to save your natural tooth. Retreated teeth can function well for years, even for a lifetime.

Advances in technology are constantly changing the way root canal treatment is performed, so your endodontist may use new techniques that were not available when you had your first procedure. Your endodontist may be able to resolve your problem with retreatment.

As with any dental or medical procedure, there are no guarantees. Your endodontist will discuss your options and the chances of success before beginning retreatment.

What are the alternatives to retreatment?

If nonsurgical retreatment is not an option, then endodontic surgery should be considered. This surgery involves making an incision to allow access to the tip of the root. Endodontic surgery may also be recommended in conjunction with retreatment or as an alternative. Your endodontist will discuss your options and recommend appropriate treatment.

What are the alternatives to endodontic retreatment and/or endodontic surgery?

The only other alternative is extraction of the tooth. The extracted tooth must then be replaced with an implant, bridge or removable partial denture to restore chewing function and to prevent adjacent teeth from shifting. Because these options require extensive surgery or dental procedures on adjacent healthy teeth, they can be far more costly and time consuming than retreatment and restoration of the natural tooth.

No matter how effective tooth replacements are—nothing is as good as your own natural tooth. You’ve already made an investment in saving your tooth. The payoff for choosing retreatment could be a healthy, functioning natural tooth for many years to come.

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7201 East Genesee Street, Fayetteville, NY 13066
315-637-3930

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