It’s not too late to save your tooth with endodontic retreatment in Augusta, GA
Root canal therapy is a common dental procedure with a very high success rate. However, there are rare instances when a treated tooth does not heal properly, or new damage causes reinfection. When this happens, you might expect to lose the tooth. Fortunately, the problem can typically be corrected with root canal retreatment performed by an experienced endodontist at Augusta Endodontic Center.
Why might endodontic retreatment be needed?
If a treated tooth does not heal properly, pain and other symptoms may persist. In this case, retreatment is needed shortly after the original procedure. However, sometimes pain begins months or years later. This usually occurs when the first root canal procedure is successful, but the tooth or restoration sustains damage later.
The most common scenarios where retreatment is needed include:
- Delay before the tooth is restored – After root canal therapy is complete, the tooth needs to be restored, usually with a dental crown. To effectively protect the tooth, this restoration must be placed within the appropriate timeframe.
- Loose or poorly sealed crown –If the restoration does not seal out saliva and bacteria, the treatment site can become contaminated. This may happen if the crown is not properly sealed when it is placed, or if it is damaged or becomes loose later.
- Incomplete treatment – Curved, narrow, or complicated canals may have been missed during the initial endodontic procedure.
- Untreated decay – A deep cavity can expose the root canal filling material, which leaves the tooth susceptible to re-infection.
Root Canal Retreatment Explained
What is root canal re-treatment?
The retreatment procedure is like a standard root canal procedure. Your endodontist will use advanced technology CBCT scan to identify the cause of the failure and proceed to need to reopen the tooth, remove the root canal filling material, and remove any infected tissue. The chambers and canals within the tooth are then sterilized, filled, and sealed.
A temporary filling is used to seal the tooth immediately after retreatment. However, it is essential that you see your dentist as soon as possible to have a permanent crown or other restoration placed.
Turn to the team you trust
Here at Augusta Endodontic Center, we use the latest technology and techniques to provide comfortable, quality treatment. If you need root canal retreatment, call us at (706) 800-9118 to schedule a consultation with one of our licensed endodontists.
Dr. Emmanuel Ngoh has over
20 years of experience in dentistry. An alumnus of the Medical College of Georgia’s Schools of Dentistry
and Allied Health and Kennesaw State University, he practiced as a General Dentist for
four years before specializing in endodontics. He founded Augusta Endodontic Center to fulfill the
endodontic needs of patients in the area.
Dr. Ngoh is a member of the American Association of Endodontists, American Dental
Association, Christian
Medical and Dental Association, Georgia Dental Association, and Augusta Dental
Society. He is a Faculty Member of the Georgia Regents University, College of Dental
Medicine and has contributed to many research projects and journals. His efforts have been
recognized with many awards and being voted as one of Augusta‘s Top Dentists by the Augusta
Magazine.