Treated Teeth Sometimes Need a Second Chance
What is endodontic retreatment?
Teeth that have had root canal treatment can last just as long as other natural teeth. However, occasionally, a treated tooth continues to cause pain or has a difficult time healing completely following treatment. Sometimes, the pain doesn’t occur until months or years after. In this case, you may need to have a procedure called “endodontic retreatment.”
What can I expect during endodontic retreatment?
To perform endodontic retreatment, we will first numb the tooth with anesthesia. We will then reopen the tooth to gain access to the root canal filling material. This restorative material will be removed to enable access to the root canal itself. We will then clean the canals again and carefully examine the inside of the problematic tooth. Once cleaned, the canals will be filled and sealed and a temporary filling will be placed in the tooth.
After retreatment, you will need to return to your dentist as soon as possible in order to have a new crown or restoration placed on the tooth to restore full functionality once again.
Most patients are relieved to find that after endodontic retreatment, the pain that they were experiencing is gone, as the infection has been removed from their tooth.
Reasons to get endodontic retreatment:
Undetected Canals
The anatomy of a tooth’s root structure is amazingly complex, often with twists and turns and even lateral canals which are sometimes difficult to find and always hard to thoroughly clean. If your original root canal treatment left any such location undetected or inadequately disinfected, that could be the cause of your current discomfort. Root systems can be very complex, and we can’t always see every canal during the first treatment. A new problem with your tooth may have come up, such as a fracture or new decay.
Problems with Final Restoration
The filling that the endodontist places in the tooth upon completing a root canal treatment is temporary. Accordingly, final restoration must be done within a reasonable time frame by the patient’s general dentist. If final restoration was done later than it should have been or if that restoration (usually a crown) allowed bacteria back inside, that is another possible reason you could need endodontic retreatment.
New Fracture or Trauma
If a tooth, which had a prior root canal, was fractured or otherwise traumatized, endodontic retreatment could be the best way to alleviate the problem you are having with it now. A careful examination will be required to determine whether or not the tooth can be saved by endodontic retreatment. In many cases, a fractured tooth must be extracted.
Technology That Makes a Difference
Feature | Benefit | What It Means for You |
Cone Beam 3D Imaging | Full three-dimensional view of root anatomy | More accurate diagnosis and treatment planning |
GentleWave Multisonic UltraClean System | Advanced canal cleaning technology | Deeper disinfection, fewer appointments |
High-magnification visualization | Improved precision in complex retreatment cases | |
Ultrasonics | Gentle removal of old filling material | Less disruption to surrounding tooth structure |
Comfort You Will Actually Notice
Wells Endodontics was built around the belief that a dental visit does not have to feel stressful. Our open operatory design, indirect soft lighting, massage chairs, warm towels after treatment, and team members who genuinely care about your experience all contribute to something our patients talk about regularly: this place feels different. From the moment you call us to the day-after courtesy call you receive from our team, we treat you like family.
Frequently Asked Questions About Endodontic Retreatment
Is endodontic retreatment painful?
Most patients find retreatment no more uncomfortable than their original root canal. Local anesthesia is used throughout the procedure, and our team checks in with you at every step to make sure you are comfortable.
How do I know if I need retreatment rather than an extraction?
In most cases, saving your natural tooth is the better long-term option. Our endodontists will evaluate your tooth thoroughly and give you an honest recommendation based on what they find. If retreatment can work, we will tell you. If it cannot, we will explain your options clearly.
Does Wells Endodontics accept dental insurance?
Yes. We accept most major dental insurance plans, and our team is happy to help verify your benefits before your appointment. We also accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, and CareCredit.
How soon can I be seen?
We offer same-day emergency appointments for patients in pain. If you are experiencing significant discomfort, call us right away and we will do everything we can to get you in quickly.
You Can Rely on Trusted Endodontic Retreatment Care
If you have been told you need retreatment, or if a previously treated tooth has started bothering you again, the team at Wells Endodontics is ready to help. As trusted endodontists Tampa patients have relied on since 2007, we combine advanced technology with the kind of warm, personal care that keeps our patients coming back and referring their friends and family.
Our skilled doctors bring exceptional expertise to every retreatment case. Call us at (813) 907-7668 or use our online scheduling tool to request your appointment. As leading endodontists Tampa trusts, we are proud to serve Wesley Chapel, Tampa, and the surrounding communities with endodontic retreatment care that puts you first.
