Retreatment of Root Canal:  In an unusual situation, a root canal treatment may need to be re-done. This is called a retreatment.  There are several reasons this may happen to you.  It could be because your crown is leaking into the inside of your tooth, you may have failed to get a permanent restoration, or your immune system may not have cleared up all of the infection during your previous root canal treatment.  Retreatments are done in two visits.  First, the old root canal filling material inside of the roots must first be removed, and special medications placed inside of the tooth to promote healing.  This needs to sit inside of your tooth for about a week at which time you will return to the office to have the canals of your tooth re-sealed with the guttapercha.  Once this is completed, you must return to your general dentist within two weeks for a permanent restoration.  If your crown does not need to be replaced, you will need a filling inside of the crown.

What will happen during retreatment?
Once you've decided, with the help of Dr. Davis to have endodontic retreatment, you may need to have a post and crown removed to continue. This helps Dr. Davis gain the necessary access to the canals that need to be cleaned and examined under her Zeiss microscope.

The filling material inside of the roots is completely removed and the inside of the tooth is thoroughly cleaned and special medication is placed inside of your tooth for approximately one week.

Even after this, some people may need additional procedures to ensure complete healing. After a week has passed, you'll return to Dr. Davis to have your canals re-sealed with guttapercha, after which you may return to your general dentist for a final restoration.

The sooner you schedule your final restoration, the better!