General Information

Any dental procedure can be daunting for most people. We make every attempt to make your experience as comfortable as possible.

Your first appontment will generally be a comprehensive consultation and examination. At that time, we will examine the tooth and problem area, take digital x-ray images and photos then decide whether your tooth is in need of root canal therapy, and review your treatment options.

If root canal therapy is indicated, a local anesthetic is used. We also offer headphones to listen to relaxing music or to watch a DVD of your choice. We will remove the nerve and bacteria from your tooth, clean the infection and seal the roots of the tooth. You will have no pain during this procedure. It can usually be completed in one to two visits depending on the required treatment. Most patients return to their normal daily routine after treatment. After treatment is completed you may need to see your general dentist for a final restoration or crown. A treatment report will be sent to their office.

Generally, conventional root canal therapy is all that is needed. Success rates for a non-surgical treatment is above 90%. Occasionally, microsurgery may be needed to save a tooth. This technique can be useful in locating root fractures and treating canals that may not be able to be accessed through standard root canal therapy.The most common microsurgical procedure is called an apicectomy.

It is unusual for patients to experience complications after conventional root canal therapy or microsurgery. However, if you do experience any problems, we are available to respond to you at any time.

First, Dr Gordon will discuss your treatment options. If you and Dr Gordon choose retreatment, he will reopen your tooth to gain access to the root canal filling material. In many cases, complex restorative materials—crown, post and core material—must be disassembled and removed to permit access to the root canals.
After removing the canal filling, Dr Gordon can clean the canals and carefully examine the inside of your tooth using magnification and illumination, searching for any additional canals or unusual anatomy that requires treatment.
After cleaning the canals, Dr Gordon will fill and seal the canals and place a temporary filling in the tooth. If the canals are unusually narrow or blocked, your endodontist may recommend endodontic surgery. This surgery involves making an incision to allow the other end of the root to be sealed.
After Dr Gordon completes retreatment, you will need to return to your dentist as soon as possible to have a new crown or other restoration placed on the tooth to protect and restore it to its full function.

Is retreatment the best choice for me?
Whenever possible, it is best to save your natural tooth. Retreated teeth can function well for years, even for a lifetime.
Advances in technology are constantly changing the way root canal treatment is performed, so Dr Gordon may use new techniques that were not available when you had your first procedure. As with any dental or medical procedure, there are no guarantees. Dr Gordon will discuss your options and the chances of success before beginning retreatment.

How much will the procedure cost?
The cost varies depending on how complicated the procedure will be. The procedure will probably be more complex than your first root canal treatment, because your restoration and filling material may need to be removed to accomplish the new procedure. In addition, Dr Gordon may need to spend extra time searching for unusual canal anatomy. Therefore, you can generally expect retreatment to cost more than the initial endodontic treatment.
While dental insurance may cover part or all of the cost for retreatment, some policies limit coverage to a single procedure on a tooth in a given period of time. Check with your insurance company prior to retreatment to be sure of your coverage.

What are the alternatives to retreatment?
If nonsurgical retreatment is not an option, then endodontic surgery should be considered. This surgery involves making an incision to allow access to the tip of the root. Endodontic surgery may also be recommended in conjunction with retreatment or as an alternative. Dr Gordon will discuss your options and recommend appropriate treatment.

What are the alternatives to endodontic retreatment and/or endodontic surgery?
The only other alternative is extraction of the tooth. The extracted tooth must then be replaced with an implant, bridge or removable partial denture to restore chewing function and to prevent adjacent teeth from shifting. Because these options require extensive surgery or dental procedures on adjacent healthy teeth, they can be far more costly and time consuming than retreatment and restoration of the natural tooth.
No matter how effective tooth replacements are—nothing is as good as your own natural tooth. You’ve already made an investment in saving your tooth. The payoff for choosing retreatment could be a healthy, functioning natural tooth for many years to come.