Root Canal Retreatment

Should your root treated tooth become re-infected, our specialised equipment and expertise means we can achieve the same high success rate with root canal retreatment as we do with initial root canal treatment.

When carried out to a high technical standard, root canal treatment is very successful. Statistically, over 90% of root treated teeth will be present in ten years, which is comparable (or better) than most alternatives. However, not all treatments are successful initially and some teeth can become reinfected at a later date. If this occurs, it’s important that you don’t rush in to having the tooth extracted, as there’s a high probability the tooth can be saved with endodontic retreatment.

Why is root canal retreatment required?

The most common reason for unsuccessful initial treatment is persistent bacteria in the tooth. This usually occurs because of inadequate cleaning of the root canals. Reinfection that occurs several years after the initial treatment generally occurs because of more bacteria entering the tooth. This is commonly due to leaking fillings, decay or cracks that have developed in the tooth.

Expert retreatment services from our team

During root canal retreatment, our endodontists use operating microscopes and specialised equipment such as rotary endodontic files to clean closer to the root tip, locate and clean extra canals, and access complex anatomical features inside the root, such as fins, isthmuses and lateral canals. Using a microscope and expert skills, our endodontists are able to diagnose problems quickly and ensure the infection is completely removed so the problem does not reoccur after endodontic retreatment.

If you think your tooth may require retreatment, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team or request an appointment. We’re here to help.