Root Canal Retreatment (Endodontic Retreatment) in Amarillo, TX

Root canal treatment is an effective way of removing infected dental pulp inside of a tooth. However, sometimes a tooth may not heal properly after root canal treatment is performed. If you have undergone root canal therapy in the past and require retreatment, Dr. Steffan Scherer can treat the affected tooth at our office in Amarillo, TX. Contact Full Smile Endodontics today if you have been referred to an endodontist for retreatment or are experiencing pain following root canal therapy.

When Is Root Canal Retreatment Required?

Many teeth that are treated with root canal therapy last a lifetime with proper care. In special cases, a tooth does not heal as it should or develops a new infection, requiring retreatment. You may need endodontic retreatment if:

• A new cavity forms that damages the crown and exposes the tooth to bacteria
• There is a delay in placing the final crown or filling on the tooth during the initial procedure
• There are additional or restricted portions of the root that were not initially treated 
• The treated tooth has cracked or fractured 

Patients are able to tell when a previous root canal treatment has failed if they experience pain or sensitivity of the tooth. A fully developed tooth can survive without its dental pulp because the surrounding tissues provide nourishment. This means that your tooth may still have a chance at being saved and we can prevent the need for tooth extraction. 

What Happens During Root Canal Retreatment?

Prior to undergoing treatment, you will meet with Dr. Scherer for a consultation. We will take CBCT scans of your mouth to assess the state of your teeth and to create a treatment plan.

When retreating a tooth, Dr. Scherer will remove the crown on top of the tooth to expose the root canal. He will remove the existing filling material and clean all of the canals within the tooth. This is similar to the process of standard root canal treatment. 

After the inflammation or infection is clear, we will reshape the canals and fill them with a root canal filling material. If the canals are too narrow, endodontic surgery may be necessary to seal off part of the root’s tip. Finally, a restorative dentist will create and place a new dental crown or other restoration over the tooth to regain full function.