A pain-free consult can save your natural tooth.
906 North Fielder Road, Suite C, Arlington TX
817-461-4292
Endodontic Retreatment in Arlington
The bright side? You’ve already done it once, so you know how not scary it is! You’ve done it once before, and you can do it again. Whether you had your first root canal here or you’re just coming here for your retreatment, our whole team is here to support you!
You’re already a root canal pro, so you have nothing to worry about. We’ll make sure you get the care you need to take full advantage of your second chance to save your natural tooth!
Have a question?
No problem.
We’re thrilled that you’ve committed to saving your natural tooth. Whether you’re ready to sign up for retreatment or you’re doing it marginally reluctantly, we want you to know that you always have an advocate and partner in us.
More about root endodontic retreatment
What is endodontic retreatment?
When a root canal treatment fails for some reason, you likely have a second shot at saving your natural tooth! Endodontic retreatment is your second chance to save your tooth, which should always be your first option. You made a choice once before, and if we believe that retreatment is an option for you, that means that you are fortunate enough to get to make that choice again!
Remember: just because you need to get another root canal on the same tooth, it doesn’t mean that you’ll have to get retreatments continuously. It just means that we have to do it again this time. If your tooth happens to get reinfected again, we’ll work with you on the next steps. However, root canal treatment is generally really successful.
How do I know I need endodontic retreatment?
If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort in your tooth again, that’s a reliable warning sign that you may need retreatment. Your dentist may also tell you that he or she suspects a secondary infection or reinfection. Since you’ve already experienced what it feels like to need a root canal, the chances are pretty good that you’ll know when your tooth is reinfected.
Is retreatment always necessary?
No! Ideally, your root canal treatment should last you a lifetime. However, things don’t always shake out this way. Your tooth can become reinfected or heal improperly. These things happen. When this does happen, then endodontic retreatment is necessary. You do still want to save your natural tooth, right? Because we do!
Why do I need endodontic retreatment?
There are several reasons a root canal treatment can become reinfected or fail. There are steps you can take to prevent this from happening, including getting your permanent crown placed as soon as possible, maintaining good oral hygiene, and closely following your post-treatment care instructions.
However, even when you do everything in your power to prevent a second infection or contamination, sometimes these things happen, particularly if you have complex root canals. Some common reasons that make endodontic retreatment necessary are:
- Fractured tooth
- Salivary contamination
- The placement of the crown was delayed.
- Narrow or curved canals were not treated initially.
- A dysfunctional crown that exposed the tooth to a new infection
- New decay is exposed to the root canal, leading to a secondary infection.
- The anatomy of your root canal is complicated and went undetected initially.
There are a few reasons that you could need retreatment, and needing one doesn’t mean that your treatment will fail a second time.
Whatever the reason for your endodontic retreatment, don’t worry. You’ve already done this once. You can do it again! And, just like last time, we’ll be with you every step of the way!
Your retreatment is a second chance!
When you signed up for your first root canal treatment, you choose to save your natural tooth. Even though your tooth got reinfected or got a secondary infection, you have the opportunity to save it again! Nothing is as good as your natural tooth. You’ve made that choice once, and now you get to make it again. If we’re telling you that retreatment is an option, then so is saving your tooth!
What should I expect during my retreatment?
You can pretty much expect precisely the same thing as your initial treatment. This time, however, your endodontist will have to remove your crown and other restoration materials that were used the first time around. Once we’ve removed the filling, we can start disinfecting the root canals and removing any decayed or infected tissue just like we did last time. You made it through once. You can do it again!
Do I have other options?
An apicoectomy is a surgery wherein your Arlington endodontist at Endodontic Associates removes the very tip of the root of your tooth. If your root canals are particularly complex, this may be the most surefire way to save your tooth this time around. Your endodontist will talk to you about your situation and recommend either retreatment or an apicoectomy.
Surgery sounds scary, but it really isn’t. An apicoectomy is really a simple, painless surgery that you don’t have to worry about. Plus, we do it all the time. We’re pros, and we’re here to give you the best care possible. If this is the route you’d rather go, you can breathe easily knowing you’re in great hands.
Additional: Dental implant
You always have the option to extract your tooth and get a dental implant. While you can be sure your tooth become reinfected, this is a costly procedure, and, frankly, you lose the benefits, feel, and appearance of your natural tooth. This is a perfectly viable option, though. Talk to your endodontist about your options and your projected outcome. At the end of the day, we’re here to support you, not an agenda. If you would rather skip retreatment and head for the implant, let us know. We’ll help you get all of the information you need to make the most informed decision for you and your long-term oral health.
No matter what you choose, we’re on your team. We’re passionate about endodontics at Endodontic Associates, but you and your comfort are at the heart of everything we do.