Heart of Texas Endodontics provides endodontic retreatment in Temple, TX. Call 254-778-4400 to learn more and schedule an appointment.

Root Canal Retreatment

Occasionally a tooth that was treated months or years ago may develop new problems. In some cases, a tooth that has received root canal treatment fails to heal or continues to have pain. You may have another chance to save the tooth with a second endodontic procedure that relieves pain and improves the tooth's health.

Why Might You Need Endodontic Retreatment?

While most root canal procedures succeed in saving teeth long-term, some treated teeth may require additional care. Several factors can compromise the initial treatment:

• New decay that allows bacteria to enter the tooth and cause a new infection

• A damaged crown or restoration that breaks or becomes loose, exposing the tooth to bacteria

• Complex canal anatomy where narrow or curved canals were not fully treated during the initial procedure

• Dental trauma from an injury that affects the treated tooth

• New complications such as a cracked tooth or fractured restoration that creates access for infection

In these situations, retreatment can address the infection and help you keep your natural tooth rather than requiring extraction.

The Root Canal Retreatment Process

Our endodontists perform retreatment with the same commitment to patient comfort as any endodontic procedure. Here's what you can expect:

Examination and Assessment: Your endodontist will examine the tooth and review X-rays to determine the cause of your symptoms and assess whether retreatment is the best option for your situation.

Anesthesia: We numb the area with local anesthetic to ensure a stress-free, comfortable procedure. Most patients experience minimal discomfort during treatment.

Accessing the Tooth: The endodontist carefully removes the crown and any restoration to access the pulp chamber and root canals.

Removing Previous Materials: We remove the gutta percha and other filling materials from the initial treatment to thoroughly examine the inside of the tooth.

Cleaning and Disinfection: The canals are cleaned to remove any bacteria, infection, or damaged tissue. This step is essential to eliminate the source of pain and prevent the infection from continuing to spread.

Sealing the Tooth: After cleaning, we fill the canals with gutta percha and seal the tooth with a permanent filling to protect it from future infection.

Final Restoration: Your dentist will place a new crown or restoration to strengthen and protect the tooth, allowing you to chew comfortably.

The Benefits of Saving Your Natural Tooth

The primary goal of endodontic retreatment is to preserve your natural teeth. Keeping your own tooth offers significant advantages over extraction:

• Natural teeth provide better chewing function than dental implants or bridges

• Saving the tooth helps maintain proper spacing and prevents adjacent teeth from shifting

• Your natural tooth root continues to stimulate the jawbone, preventing bone loss

• Retreatment is often more cost-effective than extraction followed by tooth replacement

• Most teeth can last a lifetime with proper care after successful retreatment

Experienced Endodontic Care in Temple

At Heart of Texas Endodontics, our endodontists have the specialized training and advanced technology to handle complex retreatment cases. We understand that facing another endodontic procedure can feel overwhelming, but our practice is dedicated to making your experience as comfortable as possible while providing the expert care needed to relieve pain and restore your tooth's health.

If you're experiencing sensitivity, an abscess, pain in your gums, or other symptoms in a previously treated tooth, don't wait for the problem to worsen.