Root Canal Retreatment

Root canal treated teeth normally function as well as any other tooth and can last a lifetime. However, there are situations in which a tooth that has had a root canal can start to cause pain or can become reinfected. If this happens, your dentist may recommend the root canal be redone, or retreated.

There are three main reasons why a root canal may fail and need retreatment. Dental cavities, caused by bacteria, can get under the filling or crown if space has developed and can reinfect the root canal area. Often times there are extra roots or canals present in the tooth that are very difficult to locate without the help of a microscope or three-dimensional scan. Another reason root canals can fail is if unique anatomy, such as long or curved roots, has made it difficult to clean your tooth completely.

Regardless of the source of the failing root canal, Dr. Sutter and his team will evaluate the tooth, review your options, and work with you and your dentist to make the appropriate recommendations. When making your initial appointment with us please let us know if you have had a root canal in the painful area.

Pediatric Services

Children present a unique challenge as there are often behavioral modifications necessary to safely and successfully treat them. While root canals aren’t technically performed on baby teeth, the first adult, or permanent tooth, erupts into the mouth around the age of 6, so it is common to require some treatment as early as 7 or 8 years of age. When an adult tooth erupts into the mouth, although the crown (the top part) is complete, the roots underneath take between 2-3 years to continue developing, and many years after that to finally mature.

This process is important as it sets the tooth up to last long into adulthood. When bacteria enter a child’s tooth, they will experience many of the same symptoms as adult patients (biting pain, swelling, cold sensitivity.) In cases where the roots have not completely matured, there are thankfully many modern procedures that we can perform to help encourage the continued growth of the tooth.

For many children, the visit to the endodontist can be fearful, often because of what they have heard from adults about root canals. The team at Northern Nevada Endodontics is specialized in helping anxious pediatric patients receive the care they need in a safe and comfortable manner.

Please let us know when scheduling the first appointment if your child has any fear or anxiety in regards to the dentist so that we can make sure to modify the appointment or procedure to help him or her have a great experience and set them up for success in the dental chair for years to come.