“Are root canal retreatments successful?”
I had a root canal treated a year ago, and it already needs to be retreated. I'm a little nervous for it, because I thought root canals were done only once. How successful are root canal retreatments?
4 Answers
Root canal retreatment is very successful when done properly and the tooth is properly restored with a crown. All retreatments that I have see in my office have been successful with no complications.
Root canal retreatments can definitely be successful. You will need to speak with your Endodontist regarding the outlook of the retreatment of your tooth. The success depends on the tooth itself and the particular reasons for failure of the original one.
Good question. When treated correctly, the original treatment should be about 95% successful (by an endodontist). Retreatment is also highly when treated by an endodontist. An endodontist (root canal specialist) has had more training treating root canals and spends his time only treating root canals (with few exceptions). First off, the correct diagnosis must be made. If the tooth is fractured, there is usually no saving it. If there were missed canals, inadequately cleaned canals, failure to treat originally with sterile technique, reinfection from new decay etc., once diagnosed, retreatment can be quite successful. The endodontist also has to confirm it is the same tooth and not another tooth or another type of problem such as TMJ, periodontal or occlusal trauma. Endodontist have equipment such as surgical microscopes to help them see these problems magnified. This will enable a better outcome. Most endodontist see a high number of retreatments come through their office (my office sees about 20%-25% retreatments). Sometimes though, the infection is so severe that it doesn't heal. Then your endodontist may treat it surgically to clean out the infection and save the tooth. See an endodontist for your tooth.
Good Luck.
Good Luck.
Generally speaking, root canals have about a 90% success rate, meaning that it is possible that 1 in 10 may fail. It is impossible for me to determine how successful your retreatment will be without knowing the reason why it failed in the first place and also without seeing an xray and examining the tooth clinically. You should visit an endodontist to have your tooth examined, after which he or she should be able to explain to you what happened, your options, and whether a retreatment may or may not be successful.
