315-422-0894
Dr. Mead and all I met who helped….JoAnne, Paula, Tina, Christina,….. wonderful people. Made me welcome, comfortable, and the center of their attention from start to finish. Courteous, friendly, informative, understanding, and most essential, caring. Plus, throughout it all, you get to stare at the fantastic ceilings of one of the most beautiful buildings in downtown Syracuse build in 1897. Not your normal dentist office! Highly recommended!
- Bob Reaves
root canal therapy has an excellent track record
If a root canal is done before a tooth abscesses, the success rate is around 95-97%. Once a tooth has become infected the success rate of a perfectly done root canal drops to around 80%.
As you can see root canal therapy has an excellent track record, but it can fail. In this case, root canals can be retreated. The sealer material placed during the original root canal is removed, chamber is cleaned and disinfected and is re-sealed.
Frequently Asked Questions
1). Why would a root canal fail even if it was done properly the first time?
Even when a root canal is performed correctly, failure can still occur. This may be due to complex root anatomy, missed canals, delayed placement of a crown, or new decay that allows bacteria to re-enter the tooth.
2). How does infection affect the success of a root canal?
Root canals are most successful when treated early. If an infection has already spread, bacteria can be more difficult to eliminate, which may lower success rates and increase the need for retreatment.
3). What is removed during root canal retreatment?
During retreatment, the previous filling material inside the canals is carefully removed. This allows the dentist to thoroughly clean, disinfect, and reseal the tooth.
4). How is retreatment different from the initial root canal procedure?
Retreatment is typically more complex. It involves reopening the tooth, removing existing materials, and identifying any missed canals or lingering infection that may not have been addressed during the first procedure.
5). What are the most common reasons a treated tooth becomes infected again?
Reinfection can happen for several reasons, including missed canals, breakdown of a crown or filling, new decay, or cracks that allow bacteria to enter the tooth.
6). How do dentists locate hidden or missed canals during retreatment?
Dentists use advanced tools such as magnification and enhanced lighting to carefully examine the tooth and locate canals that may have been missed during the initial treatment.
7). Can retreatment eliminate long-standing infection?
In many cases, yes. By removing the old material and thoroughly disinfecting the canals, retreatment can eliminate bacteria and support healing of the surrounding tissues.
8). What happens if retreatment is delayed after symptoms appear?
Delaying treatment can allow the infection to worsen, potentially leading to abscess formation, bone loss, and a reduced chance of saving the tooth.
9). Is retreatment the only option after a failed root canal?
Not always. If retreatment is not successful or recommended, other options such as endodontic surgery (apicoectomy) or tooth extraction may be considered.
10). Why is retreatment considered a “second chance” to save the tooth?
Retreatment addresses the underlying cause of failure—whether it’s hidden bacteria, missed anatomy, or reinfection—giving the tooth another opportunity to heal and function properly.