Root Canal Retreatment
Root canal treatment has a high success rate, and a treated tooth can continue to provide a lifetime of use with proper dental care. However, sometimes the tooth can become diseased and painful months or even years after treatment.
If this happens, your endodontists in Camp Hill, PA, might recommend a non-surgical procedure called root canal retreatment to save the tooth.
Endodontists like Dr. Darrell Curtis and Dr. Shane Curtis are specialists in saving teeth. They have years of advanced training and experience treating damaged and infected teeth that would otherwise require extraction.
Why You Might Need Root Canal Retreatment
There are several reasons why our endodontists might recommend root canal treatment.
- The tooth didn't heal properly because of narrow or curved canals that were not detected during the initial treatment.
- A broken or cracked crown or filling creates an access point for bacteria to enter the tooth and cause a reinfection.
- A delay in placing a dental crown or filling after the initial treatment allowed bacteria to enter the tooth.
Steps Involved with Retreatment
At Curtis Endodontics, our top priority is delivering pain-free root canal retreatment. Dr. Shane Curtis and Dr. Darrell Curtis use their expertise and advanced training to ensure a comfortable, efficient procedure with the best possible outcome.
The first step is to numb the tooth using a strong local anesthetic to ensure that you remain pain-free during the procedure. Next, we remove the crown or filling placed after the initial root canal treatment.
The next steps with an endodontic retreat are as follows:
- Access the tooth’s interior to remove the original filling material.
- Use rotary endodontics to thoroughly and comfortably remove the infection.
- Disinfect and shape the root canals.
- Place new biocompatible filling material in the hollowed-out interior of the tooth.
- Seal the tooth and place a temporary filling to protect it during healing.
After healing, your general dentist will follow up with you to place a new filling or crown on the tooth.
Is Root Canal Retreatment Right for You?
The goal of dentistry is to save as many teeth as possible for as long as possible, and the purpose of endodontic retreatment is to preserve the tooth so that it’s comfortable, disease-free, and functions normally.
And while retreatment is a viable option in many cases, You can be confident that our specialists will carefully evaluate your unique needs, present all treatment options, and determine if it is the right step for you.
At Curtis Endodontics, we always have your best interest in mind!
Why Not Remove the Tooth Instead of Retreating It?
Missing teeth affect your ability to chew comfortably and allow neighboring teeth to shift out of the proper position. This movement leads to a cascade of other oral health problems, not to mention the effect that tooth loss has on your confidence,
For these reasons, we highly recommend endodontic retreatment as the best choice whenever appropriate.
Schedule an Appointment with an Endodontist
The goal of endodontic retreatment is to give your tooth a second chance. Dr. Shane Curtis and Dr. Darrell Curtis are experienced endodontists in Camp Hill, PA, who can help achieve that goal.
Please call Curtis Endodontics at (717) 550-4040 to schedule an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Root canal treatment recovery typically takes 2–4 days. Patients commonly experience some soreness, and following our after-care instructions will help you have a speedy recovery and feel great in no time!
What to Expect after Root Canal Treatment
For an event-free recovery after root canal treatment, follow the recommendations below.
- After your procedure, it's common for the treatment area to remain numb for several hours. We recommend not eating until it wears off to avoid accidentally biting your cheek or tongue.
- If your endodontist gives you a prescription for antibiotics, have it filled promptly and take the medication as directed.
- Some sensitivity or soreness is common during the first few days after your root canal. Taking OTC pain medications is usually all that is needed to control discomfort. Complications are rare but call us right away if the pain becomes unmanageable.
- Stir a teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water and rinse, swish, and spit to reduce pain and swelling. Continue to brush and floss as usual.
- Avoid smoking, drinking hot beverages or alcohol, and eating hard or sticky foods. Also, take care not to chew or bite down on the tooth until your dentist places the final crown or filling.
Your general dentist will schedule an appointment with you about two weeks after your procedure. They will then determine whether the tooth needs a final crown or filling to protect it.
If you have questions about your post-treatment recovery, please don’t hesitate to call Curtis Endodontics in Camp Hill, PA.
Meet Our Doctors:
Dr. Darrell M. Curtis
Dr. Curtis grew up in Central Pennsylvania and graduated from Cumberland Valley High School. He received his dental degree from the University of Maryland in 2011. Following dental school, he completed an Advanced Education in ...
Dr. Shane J. Curtis
Dr. Curtis grew up in Central Pennsylvania and graduated from Cumberland Valley High School. He received his dental degree from the University of Maryland in 2014. Following dental school, he completed an Advanced Education in ...