endodontics
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endodontics
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What is endodontic retreatment?A second chance to save your tooth - With proper care, most teeth that have had endodontic (root canal) treatment can last as long as other natural teeth. In some cases, however, a tooth that has received endodontic treatment fails to heal or the pain continues. Occasionally, the tooth becomes painful or diseased months or even years after successful treatment. If your tooth has failed to heal or has developed new problems, you have a second chance. Another procedure may be able to save you tooth!Who performs endodontic retreatment? - All dentist are educated in endodontic treatment in dental school. However, because retreatment can be more challenging than providing initial treatment, many dentists refer patients needing retreatment to Endodontists. Endodontists are dentists with at least two additional years of advanced education in root canal techniques and procedures. Because they limit their practices to endodontics cases, they have concentrated experience in endodontic treatment. In addition to treating routine cases, they are experts in performing complicated procedures, such as teeth with narrow, blocked, or unusually positioned canals. This is special training and experience can be valuable if retreatment is necessary.Is retreatment the best choice for me? - Retreated teeth can function well for years, even for a lifetime. It's always best to save the tooth if your endodontist believes retreatment is the best option for you. Advances in technology are constantly changing the way root canal treatment is performed, so your endodontist may even be able to use a new technique that was not available when you had your first procedure. If your tooth had an unusual anatomy that was not cleaned and sealed during the first procedure, your endodontist may be able to resolve this problem with a second treatment. Of course, there are no guarantees with any dental or medical procedure. You endodontist will discuss your options and chances of success before beginning retreatment.How much will the procedure cost? - The cost varies depending on how complicated the procedure will be. the procedure will be probably be more complex than your first root canal treatment, because your restoration and filling material may need to be removed to accomplish the new procedure. In addition, your endodontist may need to spend extra time searching for unusual canal anatomy. Therefore, you can generally expect retreatment to cost more than the initial endodontic treatment. While dental insurance may cover part or all of the cost for retreatment, some policies limit coverage to a single procedure on a tooth in a given period of time. Check with your employer or insurance company prior to treatment to be sure of your coverage.What are the alternatives to retreatment? - For some patients considering retreatment, endodontic surgery is also an option. This surgery involves making an incision near the root to be sealed. Endodontic surgery may be recommended in conjunction with retreatment or as an alternative. Your endodontist will discuss this with your options and recommend appropriate treatment. The only other alternative is extraction of the tooth. The extracted tooth must be then replaced with an implant, bridge, or removable partial denture to restore chewing function and to prevent adjacent teeth from shifting. Because these options require extensive surgery or dental procedures on adjacent healthy teeth, they can be far more costly and time consuming than retreatment and restoration of the natural tooth. No matter how effective modern tooth replacements are - and they can be very effective - nothing is as good as your natural tooth. You've already made an investment in saving your tooth. The payoff for choosing retreatment could be a healthy, functioning natural tooth for many years to come!
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