Endodontic Retreatment for Arvada & Westminster CO

Endodontic retreatment is performed when an earlier root canal or other endodontic treatment has failed. A root canal can be successful and last for years, only to fail at some point due to a new cavity, contamination by saliva, or loss of the protective crown. When this happens, endodontic retreatment can often save the tooth.

Steps to Endodontic Retreatment

  • Inflamed tissue in the tooth’s root is confirmed.
  • The crown or filling is removed to expose the tooth’s interior, and any material is removed.
  • The canal is cleaned and treated with disinfectant.
  • New root material, usually gutta percha, is placed in the canals.
  • A filling or crown is placed to cover and protect the tooth.
  • Your tooth looks and performs like a natural, healthy tooth.
An example of a tooth with inflamed tissue
Inflamed Tissue
A visual of removing fillings from a tooth
Filling Removed
A representation of a tooth with its canals cleaned
Canals Cleaned
An illustration of new root filling material placed into a tooth's canals
Root Material Placed
An example of a tooth's filling restored by new root canal filling
Filling Restored
A representation of a fully healed tooth by new root canal filling placed
Healed Tooth

Advantages of Endodontic Retreatment

A root canal may fail weeks or years later, allowing bacteria to infect the pulp. The channels may not have been cleaned thoroughly, or a damaged crown could cause contamination. This does not mean you have to lose the tooth. Endodontic retreatment can often fix the problem and restore the tooth to healthy functioning. Most patients who undergo endodontic retreatment do not have additional issues and can keep their teeth for a lifetime.

Our doctors always prefer to save your teeth whenever possible. When a tooth is lost or extracted, it has a damaging domino effect on your remaining teeth, gums, and jawbone. When a tooth is missing, the adjacent teeth usually shift out of alignment, causing bite issues and other complications. Without the tooth’s root, the jawbone deteriorates, often losing 25% of its mass within a year, leading to additional tooth loss and a sunken facial appearance.

Why Do Root Canals Fail?

Improper healing or failure of a root canal is often caused by one or more of the following:

  • Narrow or curved canals that could not be treated during initial treatment
  • Hidden canals not seen in x-rays used to guide the root canal
  • Ineffective or delayed placement of the permanent restoration
  • Saliva has seeped into the canal beneath the restoration, contaminating the tooth
  • New decay due to a cavity
  • Exposure of the tooth’s interior due to a crack in the tooth

If you are experiencing pain, sensitivity, or swelling around your root canal, we can save the tooth through endodontic retreatment. Contact our office as soon as possible for an appointment so we can save your tooth and protect it from further damage. Our phone number is Clear Creek Endodontics Phone Number 303-432-3636.

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