Root canal treatment in Huntsville is often an effective way to relieve pain and save a tooth from extraction. Unfortunately, though, there is always a small chance that the procedure won’t be successful. A root canal may fail because the dentist didn’t quite get all the bacteria out of the tooth or because a permanent filling wasn’t placed in the tooth soon enough after treatment. If you suffer from a failed root canal, it’s important that you see an endodontist as soon as possible so they can fix the problem and get you back to smiling that gorgeous smile of yours. What exactly might an endodontist do to correct the issue?
A Second Root Canal
Your dental care provider might recommend that you undergo a second root canal on a tooth that was already treated. This will provide a chance for your endodontist to clear out all the bacteria in the tooth and correct any other issues that might have gone wrong during the first procedure. A second root canal is usually more complicated than a first one because your endodontist will have to remove the crown and the filling material inside your tooth so they can access the roots.
If you need a second root canal, don’t worry about it too much. Your endodontist will explain the procedure to you in detail and will make sure you’re as comfortable as possible during the treatment.
Endodontic Surgery
In some cases, your dentist or endodontist might decide that a second root canal isn’t the best option. This may be because the components that were placed during the first treatment are too difficult to remove; forcing them out could lead to a tooth fracture. Instead of another root canal, then, you might need an endodontic surgery known as an apicoectomy.
During the surgery, your endodontist will access your tooth’s root from the bottom rather than through the tooth’s crown. They’ll have to make a small cut on your gum to get to your tooth, then use that access point to shave off the tip of the tooth’s root. That will make it possible to clean out the infection.
Endodontic surgery is successful about 85 percent of the time, and there is really no reason to fear it. It will probably happen in your endodontist’s office, and you won’t be able to feel anything that happens during the procedure.
You might be swollen and sore after the treatment, but that should go away within two weeks or so. After a few months, your bone will heal around the area where the tip of the tooth root was removed.
A failed root canal is a big deal, but fortunately, your friendly endodontist in Huntsville can correct the issue and help you start smiling again!
About the Endodontist
Dr. Deborah Bishop and her team are proud to provide endodontic treatments to folks in the Huntsville area. If you suspect that your root canal treatment has failed, or you have other concerns about the unseen parts of your teeth, contact our office at 256-882-5161.