Endodontic Retreatment/RE-RCT

Even with the proper care, endodontic treatments occasionally need to be repeated, as the tooth becomes painful or diseased after months or years of treatment. If the healing fails and develops symptoms like pain & swelling, retreating the tooth ihelps it heal and can stay for lifetime.

Why RE-RCT??

• Narrow & Curved canals not treated properly in the initial treatment.
• Undetected canals due to complex anatomy Delay in placement of crown or restoration.
• Salivary contamination due to improper coronal restoration.
• New decay which has exposed the root canal filling causing new infection.
• Loose, crack/broken restorations or crowns has exposed the tooth.
• Sustained Fracture

Diagnosis

Your dentist can diagnose an endodontic infection with a thorough dental examination. Your dentist will look at your tooth on X-rays and may perform some simple diagnostic tests. Your dentist will refer you to an endodontist, a dentist with special training in tooth and gum diseases, for endodontic retreatment.

Is Retreatment a Best Choice??

• It is always best to save the natural teeth if it can be and retreated tooth can last lifetime.
• There is constant change in advancement of technology and your endodontist may use a newer technique, which might not be available during your first procedure.
• As in both medical/dental procedures there are no guarantees, option and chances of success will be discussed prior to your treatment by your dentist.

Treatment

• First, treatment options will be discussed by your endodontist. If you and your endodontist choose retreatment, the endodontist will reopen your tooth to gain access to the root canal filling material. In several cases, complex restorative materials: crown, post and core material must be removed to permit access to the root canals.
• After removal of the root filling material, your endodontist will clean the canals and inspect for additional canals or check the unusual anatomy that requires treatment using technological advancements.
• After final cleansing of the canal it will be sealed and filled, if the endodontist still finds canals narrow or blocked then an endodontic surgery will be recommended, which will allow the sealing of the root end via a small incision.
• Once the treatment is complete you need to return to your dentist as soon as possible to acquire a new crown to restore to form and function of the tooth/teeth.