Endodontic Retreatment
Sometimes a second chance saves your tooth.
Root canal therapy is highly successful—but like anything in life, it’s not always perfect. Occasionally, a previously treated tooth may not heal properly. Maybe symptoms come back months—or even years—later. When that happens, endodontic retreatment gives your tooth another chance.
Why It Matters
If left untreated, reinfected teeth can lead to pain, swelling, or bone loss. Retreatment gives your tooth a second chance—and helps you avoid an extraction or implant.
At Endodontics of Denver, Dr. Darin Lee combines years of experience with powerful tools like CBCT imaging, ultrasonic instrumentation, and surgical microscopes to retreat complex cases when others can’t.
Signs You May Need Retreatment:
Pain in a previously treated tooth
Sensitivity to biting
Swelling or tenderness in the gums
A visible bump (abscess) on the gum near the tooth
A loose or damaged crown or filling exposing an old root canal
Not Sure If You Need Retreatment?
We’ll take a look, run high-resolution imaging, and walk you through your options. You’ll leave with answers and a plan backed by expert care.
Why Would I Need Retreatment?
There are a few reasons a tooth might need to be retreated:
Issues From the First Procedure:
Narrow or curved canals were missed during initial treatment
Canal anatomy was undetected or untreated
The final crown wasn’t placed in time, allowing reinfection
Saliva or bacteria contaminated the tooth through a faulty seal
New Problems Over Time:
New decay reached the original root canal filling
A cracked or loose crown exposed the tooth to infection
Injury or trauma reactivated the issue
What Happens During Retreatment?
Retreatment is similar to a root canal—with a few extra steps:
Re-Access the Tooth
We carefully remove or access the tooth through your previous crown or filling to reach the root canals.Clean Out the Canals
Using advanced imaging, microscopy, and ultrasonic tools, we locate and remove the previous root canal filling material, locate and treat missed anatomy, disinfect, and reshape the canals—this time, with enhanced visibility and precision.Disinfection
To ensure a bacteria-free environment, we use advanced disinfecting techniques and place a special medication inside the canals. In some cases, achieving the best outcome may require two visits to allow the medication time to work.
Seal It Right
Once cleaned, we refill and seal the canals properly and place a temporary restoration.Final Restoration
You’ll return to your general dentist to have a new crown or permanent filling placed to protect the tooth long-term.
