With proper care your root canal treated tooth can last a lifetime.  However, as occasionally happens with any dental or medical procedure, a tooth may not heal as expected for a variety of reasons:

• Narrow or curved canals were not treated during the initial procedure

• Complicated canal anatomy went undetected in the first procedure

• The placement of the final restoration or crown was delayed following endodontic treatment

• The restoration did not prevent salivary contamination to the inside of the tooth

New problems can arise that can cause a successfully root canal treated tooth to fail.  Examples are:

• New decay can expose the root canal filling material to bacteria, causing a new infection in the tooth

• A loose cracked or broken down filling can expose the tooth to bacterial contamination

• The tooth sustains a fracture

If the tooth in question needs retreatment Dr. D'Amelio will meet with you to discuss all treatment options.  If you choose retreatment Dr. D'Amelio will reopen your tooth to access the root canal filling.  Some cases may require removing the crown, post, and core material to permit access to the roots.

After removing the canal filling, the canals will be cleaned and Dr. D'Amelio will carefully examine the inside of your tooth for any additional canals or unusual anatomy under the surgical operating microscope.  Following cleaning and shaping of the canals, Dr. D'Amelio will seal the roots with gutta percha and adhesive cement and place temporary cement.  Unusually narrow or blocked canals may require surgery involving an incision near the end of the root to allow the tip of the root to be sealed.  If necessary, Dr. D'Amelio will discuss this with you.

After any endodontic retreatment it will be necessary to return as soon as possible to your dentist to have a new crown or restoration placed to protect the tooth and restore it to full function.

We are proud to say that retreated teeth can function well for years---many do so for a lifetime. Our goal is to save your tooth.

New technology often allows us to change the way root canal treatment is performed. Dr. D'Amelio maintains a forward thinking outlook—we continually study and train to keep our skills current with each new development in the field of endodontics.

As with any dental or medical procedure, there are no guarantees. But we guarantee individual attention and consideration to make sure your treatment is as successful as possible.