When you have received a root canal and the tooth starts to hurt in the months or even years to come, this could mean decay or infection has formed in the tooth. Our team can stop this discomfort with retreatment. In today’s blog, your Londonderry, NH, dentist talks about the retreatment process.
Toothaches and Re-Infection
When a root canal is done, this involves opening the tooth to remove the tissues from within and replacing them with a restorative filling, halting the infection and preventing the tooth from being lost. The tooth is then capped with a crown. But should contamination occur before the crown is placed, or if there is an issue with the fit of the restoration, this could still expose the interior of the tooth to bacteria and decay, allowing re-infection to occur. When this happens, your tooth could hurt again. Don’t ignore persistent sensitivity or aches in a tooth, see our team right away to discuss your treatment options.
The Retreatment Process
With the retreatment process, we will essentially redo the root canal to stop the discomfort and help protect you from major complications, such as tooth loss. We will take detailed digital x-rays to assess the position and severity of the infection. Next, we will numb your tooth so you are comfortable as we open it to thoroughly clean and disinfect the interior of the tooth and the root canals. Next, we will add a new filling and cap the tooth with a dental crown. Should the infection have moved into the tip of the roots, we could conduct root canal surgery to treat the issue at the site and stop discomfort.
Safeguarding Your Smile
Following your treatment, you can take steps to help reduce the risk of cavities or infection down the road. For example, take time to brush your teeth for two minutes when you wake up and then do so again before going to bed. Each session should involve a toothbrush with soft bristles and a toothpaste with fluoride. You should also floss before going to bed too, and cut back on how much sugar is in your diet. Be sure you see our team for a checkup and cleaning every six months too!
If you have any questions about how our office will treat an infected tooth, or about retreatment, then contact our team today to learn more. You can also see us now and use your remaining 2024 dental benefits before they expire.
Schedule An Appointment to Stop Discomfort With Our Team!
When your tooth begins to ache following treatment, please see our team for treatment right away. You can schedule an appointment with the team at My Dentist in Londonderry, NH, today by calling 603-965-3407.
