Apex Endodontics

Endodontics

3303 S. Lindsay Rd, #127, Gilbert, AZ 85296

(480) 699-2941

Procedures

Endodontic Retreatment

With the appropriate care, most teeth that have had endodontic treatment will last as long as other natural teeth. Yet, a small percentage of root canaled teeth fail to heal or continue to cause pain. Sometimes, the pain may recur months or years after treatment. If so, Endodontic Retreatment may be needed.

Improper healing may be caused by:

  • Failure to have a crown or restoration placed within the appropriate timeframe following the procedure, allowing recontamination of the root canal system.
  • Curved or narrow canals that were not treated during the initial treatment.
  • Complicated or hidden canals that went undetected during the initial treatment.
  • New decay (aka recurrent caries) or leakage around a crown or restoration that allowed for recontamination of the root canal system.

In some cases, new problems can influence a tooth that was successfully treated:

  • New decay can expose a root canal filling material, causing infection.
  • A cracked or loose filling or crown can expose the tooth to new infection.

Once retreatment has been selected as a solution to your problem, the doctors will reopen your tooth to gain access to the root canal filling material. This restorative material will be removed to enable access to the root canal system. The doctor will then clean your canals and carefully examine the inside of the problematic tooth. Once cleansed and thoroughly disinfected, a process which most often involves the placement of an antibacterial paste within the tooth for 1-2 weeks under a temporary filling, your endodontist will re-fill and seal the canals and again place a temporary filling in the tooth.

At this point, you will need to return to your dentist as soon as possible in order to have a new crown or restoration placed on the tooth to restore full functionality and prevent reinfection.

How much will it cost?

The cost associated with this procedure can vary depending on factors such as the severity of damage to the affected tooth and which tooth is affected. In general, endodontic treatment is much less expensive than tooth removal and replacement with an artificial tooth. Please click here to view Patient and Insurance Billing information or call our office at (480) 699-2940 for specific questions.