Endodontic Retreatment in Garden City

If you had root canal treatment in the distant past, you may notice that some of the symptoms that initially caused you to seek that specialized dental procedure have returned. Or, you may begin experiencing new symptoms affecting the previously treated tooth. Additionally, in some cases, patients who have had a recent root canal procedure did not heal properly or continue to have pain.

In these scenarios, endodontic retreatment can relieve your pain and provide the best chance to save the affected tooth. Drs. Tangredi and Salierno frequently perform endodontic retreatment to repair new damage that has developed or to fix root canal therapies that were not performed correctly the first time. 

We know that no one wants to repeat a root canal therapy or other complex dental procedure. Fortunately, retreating a dental issue is usually a much quicker, easier process because the majority of the “work” has already been done. Additionally, Tangredi Endodontics uses a comprehensive technology to perform endodontic retreatments to ensure patient comfort and a long-lasting positive outcome.

Q: How long does a root canal last?

A: In the overwhelming majority of cases, a root canal will last for the patient’s lifetime without any complications. However, if a root canal was performed by someone who is not very familiar with the procedure and who does not perform them regularly (as board-certified endodontists do) failure rates are high. Root canal therapy is a complex procedure requiring precision and skill. Additionally, patients who do not complete all steps of a root canal therapy (ie: having the tooth crowned and sealed) are very likely to need retreatment by a board-certified endodontist.

Q: If I need retreatment for a prior root canal, what can I expect? 

A: Usually, your endodontist will remove the crown or filling from the affected tooth (assuming there is one), clean the canals, and remove any infection that is present. Your endodontist may also reshape the canals before restoring them. In rare cases, a patient’s root canals have become so narrow that the endodontist is unable to perform a repair. In this case, an endodontic procedure called apicoectomy may be needed to reach and seal the root tip to relieve pain. In either scenario, the final step is applying a temporary filling to the tooth. A general dentist later applies a permanent filling.

If you feel pain gradually returning to your existing treatment site -- or if you feel like your first treatment has not provided the pain relief you expected, contact us right away. Dental pain can be debilitating. There is no need to suffer when our skilled endodontists can give you long-lasting relief. 

Call 516-746-3636 to schedule an appointment or click here to request an appointment online.