Is A Root Canal Retreatment Worth It If Your Tooth Gets Another Infection?
Root canal therapy is a great treatment option to clear diseased dental pulp and prevent the loss of a tooth. WebMD says that root canal therapy has a 95 percent success rate, and the effects of the treatment can last a lifetime. However, in a few instances, the first root canal may not heal properly, and a patient may need a second root canal to reap the oral health benefits. Take a look at why retreatment may be necessary and what it entails.
Why Would a Secondary Root Canal Treatment Be Necessary?
While incisors, canines, and premolars typically have one root, there can be anatomical variations between patients. This means that some root canals are simply more complicated than others and the risk of an infection remaining increases. For example, some canals may be curved or narrow, so it can be more difficult to access them and debride the infection with dental instruments. In short, a secondary root canal may be necessary for complicated cases.
A secondary root canal treatment can also be necessary if a filling or crown becomes cracked or loose. If restorative material breaks down from poor hygiene or an injury, then saliva and bacteria can get back into the canals and reactivate an infection.
Is a Secondary Root Canal Right for You?
While every case is different, a dentist will do everything in his or her power to save a natural tooth before considering an extraction. Natural tooth roots help to stimulate the jawbone and prevent bone resorption. Enamel is stronger than prosthetics, so saving the natural tooth is ideal to keep functionality in terms of eating and speaking. A review found that secondary therapies have a success rate of 77 percent. While lower than primary treatments, this is still a good number—if you don't have other complications, like periapical lesions, then a secondary root canal therapy may be a good option. Ultimately, you'll want to consult with your dentist about treatment options.
How Does Root Canal Retreatment Work?
A secondary root canal therapy will have many of the same steps as a primary root canal. Your dentist will apply a local anesthetic to make the procedure comfortable. He or she may also place a dental dam and/or cotton rolls to prevent saliva contamination to the site. Your dentist will then place an access hole in the coronal portion of the tooth and remove any loose or cracked restorative material from the previous procedure. X-rays will be taken during several stages to determine the extent of the infection, the position of instruments, and the location of filling materials. Lastly, your dentist will shape the canals and fill them with a new filler material to seal them off from bacteria. While antiseptic mouthwashes and/or antibiotics may not have been recommended after the first root canal, your dentist might recommend these medications to improve the outcomes of a secondary procedure.
Reach out to a dentist today to learn more about root canal therapy and aftercare instructions.