Endodontic retreatment is a procedure that is performed when a previous root canal becomes painful or infected months or even years after treatment. The goal is to eliminate pain and infection ultimately saving the tooth.
The endodontist will reopen your tooth, remove the prior root filling material, and clean out the infected area. It is often necessary to dismantle or remove complex restorative materials—such as posts and crowns. After thoroughly cleaning the canals, the endodontist will fill and seal them before placing a temporary filling in the tooth
Although the success rate of endodontic retreatment is generally high, sometimes the tooth is too damaged, an extraction may need to be considered.