Can a root canal go bad? (And what to do if you need a retreatment)
Root canals are one of the most common dental procedures in the United States with an estimated 15 million root canals performed each year. But, sometimes a root canal procedure ends up needing a retreatment: according to the American Association of Endodontists, about 1 in every 5 root canals will need to be retreated. So what is a root canal retreatment, and what can you do to avoid it? Keep reading to find out!
What is a root canal?
A root canal is a procedure that an endodontist performs to save a tooth that has been infected or damaged. During a root canal, the endodontist will remove the damaged tissue from inside the tooth and then fill and seal the tooth. Dr. Nieves specializes in root canals and has spent years of extra training and education to become one of the top endodontists: in fact, he is Granbury's board-certified endodontist. So, you'll be in great care when you choose Granbury Endodontics.
How does a root canal go bad?
There are a few different ways that a root canal can go bad. The most common reason for a root canal to fail is because the endodontist was not able to completely remove all of the damaged tissue from inside the tooth. This can happen if the damage is extensive or if the tooth is difficult to access. Other reasons for a root canal to fail include:
The tooth becomes re-infected
The filling or sealant used in the root canal breaks down
The tooth fractures
What is a root canal retreatment like?
A root canal retreatment is very similar to a regular root canal procedure. During a retreatment, the endodontist will access the inside of the tooth and then clean out any remaining damaged tissue. Once the tooth has been cleaned, the endodontist will then fill and seal the tooth.
At Granbury Endodontics, we've invested in the GentleWave® procedure, which is a state-of-the-art root canal cleaning system that allows Dr. Nieves to clean better than ever before. The GentleWave® procedure is minimally invasive and uses fluids and acoustic energy to clean the root canal system deeply. That way, any reinfected tissue in the root canal will be cleaned out and be unlikely to reinfect your tooth in the future.
How can I avoid a root canal retreatment?
There are a few things you can do to avoid needing a root canal retreatment:
See your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings so that she or he can catch any damage or infection early on.
Brush and floss your teeth every day to keep them healthy.
Avoid chewing hard foods like ice or candy that can damage your teeth.
What should I do if I do need a root canal retreatment?
If you do need a root canal retreatment, Granbury Endodontics is here to help! We specialize in root canal procedures and Dr. Nieves will make sure that your retreatment is successful. You can contact us via an initial form on our website, or call our office at (817) 776-4646 to speak with our staff. We love helping patients get relief from tooth pain, so call us ASAP!