With the appropriate care, your teeth that have had endodontic (root canal) treatment can last as long as other natural teeth. Occasionally, the infection around the tooth that has undergone endodontic treatment may not heal or pain may continue despite therapy. In some rare cases, the tooth may respond well to treatment only to have the disease return months or years after treatment.
In many of these cases Endodontic Retreatment may be helpful to repair your tooth. At Greenspring Endodontics we have the opportunity to view a 3-Dimensional CT Scan image of your tooth to give you the most accurate assessment, prognosis and treatment options possible.
If Endodontic Retreatment has been selected for your tooth, Dr. Reff will re-open your tooth to gain access to the root canal filling material. Dr. Reff will then carefully examine and clean the inside of the root canals. To provide the best results possible Dr. Reff will often leave a disinfecting medication in your tooth. Once this medication has done its job, and only after we see signs of improvement, Dr. Reff will place a new root canal filling to re-seal your tooth. Our goal is providing the most predictable treatment possible. If we decide that endodontic treatment is not the best option for you, we will always let you know. Your health is our priority.
Recontamination of the root canal spaces may be caused by tooth decay, trauma, broken existing restorations, and cracks. These occurrences may allow new bacteria to enter the tooth and cause a new infection. In some cases, re-infection may be due to an additional root canal within the tooth that could not be treated during your initial procedure. These complex conditions may require the skills and technology of an endodontist.