A root canal is a procedure that is performed to treat a severely infected tooth. During this procedure, your dentist will remove the infected tooth pulp before filling it with a biocompatible material and sealing the tooth off with a dental filling or crown. Though root canals have more than a 95% success rate and complications are rare, there are still several reasons why you may need to have the treatment redone. Read on to learn about some of the most common reasons for root canal retreatment as well as what to expect during the procedure.
6 Reasons Why Root Canals Need to Be Redone
Just like with any other dental procedure, root canal therapy has a slight possibility of failing. If the tooth does not heal properly, this may be due to bacteria entering or remaining in the tooth and causing a new infection to form. There are several reasons why this may happen, such as if:
- Your canal anatomy is narrow, curved, or otherwise complicated
- There’s a delay between the root canal and crown placement
- There is damage to the dental crown or filling
- Saliva enters the affected tooth
- The tooth suffers new damage
- Additional decay develops
What to Expect During Root Canal Retreatment
Root canal retreatment will be similar to the first time the tooth was treated. If your initial root canal was a while ago, your dentist may utilize new techniques, technology, or dental sedation methods that are more effective and will make you more comfortable during the procedure.
You will be administered a local anesthetic to numb your mouth, and then your dentist will remove the crown or filling so they can reopen the tooth. They will then remove the material the tooth was previously filled with as well as the newly infected or untreated tissue. Finally, they will disinfect, refill, and reseal the tooth.
How to Make Your Root Canal Last
There are several ways that you can protect your smile and prevent the need for root canal retreatment in the future, including:
- Practice good dental hygiene – Brush your teeth twice per day for two minutes each time and floss every night to get rid of plaque, food particles, and bacteria.
- Avoid bad habits – This includes smoking, nail-biting, excessive drinking, and opening bottles or packages with your teeth.
- Visit your dentist – Biannual dental checkups will allow your dentist to examine your mouth and make sure that your smile is in good condition.
About the Practice
Downtown Family Dental of Leesburg is a practice dedicated to the health and happiness of its patients. Led by Dr. Jennifer Pham, they treat patients living in the Leesburg area with the effective oral health care they need to maintain gorgeous grins. They offer procedures like root canals to repair damaged teeth as well as root canal retreatment if the procedure needs to be redone. If you are interested in setting up an appointment with Downtown Family Dental of Leesburg or want more information, visit their website or call their office at (703) 666-3867.