Cases of failed root canal treatments can now be successfully treated, thanks to modern technologies. A failed root canal treatment can be potentially recognised by pain and/or swelling. New technologies have increased success rates of treating failed root canal treatments: Magnification loupes/ Microscopes with fibre optic lighting system have improved a dentist’s vision and therefore the chances of the treatment’s success.

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Root Canal Re-Treatment
Cases of failed root canal treatments can now be successfully treated, thanks to modern
technologies. A failed root canal treatment can be potentially recognised by pain and/or
swelling.
New technologies have increased success rates of treating failed root canal treatments:
Magnification loupes/ Microscopes with fibre optic lighting system have improved a
dentist’s vision and therefore the chances of the treatment’s success.
Ultrasonic devices allows the dentist to more efficiently and accurately remove old root
canal materials and other intra-canal hindrances so that a success can be achieved even
with most difficult root canal failure cases.
Improved instruments, better materials and medicaments for disinfecting, filling and
repairing root canals and innovative new technologies have lead dentists and the patients to
get re-treatments completed for a higher number of root canal failure cases. The bacteria
Enterococcus Faecalis has been found to cause some root canal treatments to fail. Iodine
has been found as an suitable disinfecting agent which kills this bacteria and increases
chances of re root canal treatment success.
The dentist is now able to treat the root canal cases with better diagnosis and visualization
thanks to new technologies such as digital radiography. Also the radiation exposure has
been greatly reduced with digital radiography.
In case of root canal failure, 3 options are available. Patient can either opt for:
1. Non-surgical endodontic re-treatment
2. Surgical endodontic procedure done (Apicectomy with retrograde filling)
3. Extraction of the tooth
Today, well-trained general dentists and root canal specialists (endodontists) alike can
perform non – surgical endodontic root canal re-treatment which is very cost effective, time
saving and quite predictable as compared to other treatment alternatives
like tooth extraction. But at times the root canal failure case cannot be re-treated by non-
surgical methods. In these cases dentists can use surgical endodontic to re-treat a root canal
failure case, which may be preferred over tooth extraction?
Non-Surgical Root Canal Re-Treatment Method

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The main aim of Non-surgical endodontic procedure is to save the endodontically failed
tooth. But at times, patients’ own dental crown needs to be removed. In some cases access
can be made possible through the existing crown. This crown may later need to be replaced.
When access to the pulp chamber has been effectively gained the procedure may further
involve the following steps:-
1. Post and core removal or any broken instrument from the root canal/pulp space.
2. Locating and treating the earlier missed or undetected canals.
3. Removing the earlier filled material from the root canal spaces.
4. Improving the quality of the root canal shape to accept a better root canal filling.
5. Making way through the blocked canals and by-passing/repairing canal ledges.
6. Repairing any mechanical and pathological perforations of the root present.
Once these objectives are achieved, the root canal space is cleaned well, re-shaped,
completely disinfected and finally sealed. A protective restoration can then be placed in
the end to restore the proper tooth form, function and aesthetics.
Number of Appointments for Root Canal Re-treatment Procedure
Mostly root canal re-treatment can be done in 1-2 sittings. However to make a final
restoration for the tooth, this may take another 2 sittings if required. Most root canal
treated teeth are restored with dental crowns.
Pain after Root Canal Re-Treatment
Patient may on occasion experience some pain and soreness for several days after root
canal re-treatment procedure. For pain relief after root canal re-treatment, patient can
take general pain medications.
How Successful Is Root Canal Re-Treatment Procedure
Root canal re-treatment will remove the infection from the tooth and will relieve pain and
discomfort of the patient. Root canal re-treatment saves natural tooth structure and treated
tooth can function for years and can function throughout life.
Success rate and prognosis of root canal re-treated tooth is not as good as root canal
treatment done for the first time. If root canal re-treatment is unsuccessful, then patient
can get endodontic surgery done or can opt for tooth extraction with replacement of
missing tooth with dental implants or dental bridge.
Surgical Endodontic Procedure
Surgical method of treating a root canal failure case involves raising a small flap adjacent to
the involved tooth in order to gain entry and treat the root canal infection. Surgical line of
root canal treatment is a minor in office procedure done under local anaesthesia. When the

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infected area is exposed the dentist performs curettage (the removal of diseased and
infected tissue by scooping).
This is usually followed by the apicoectomy procedure in which the infected root portion
especially the root tip is removed. A small filling is then placed from the root end side to seal
the left healthy part of the tooth root. Surgical endodontic procedure tends to give a good
long term prognosis if the entire infection can be effectively eliminated.
Unfortunately at times the re-treatment efforts and surgical endodontic procedures may
not be possible or cost-effective and tooth extraction may be the only alternative. But to
save a previously endodontically treated tooth which is failing is usually possible and
predictable, being the most conservative option for the patient.

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Our Clinic is situated in one of the most prestigious area, Sector 50
of
India’s fastest developing town, Noida, just adjoining the National
Capital - Delhi.
It is just around 20 kms, 30-40 minutes’ drive from the Centre of
Delhi (Connaught place) and is well connected by Taxi / Auto / Bus
& Metro services.
The Ethical Dental Clinic
B - 81 Sector- 50
Noida 201307
Phone : (91) 9818741088
Fax : (91) 120 4221617
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