A root canal retreatment, or re-RCT, happens on the rare occasions that the dental pulp becomes re-infected after root canal treatment. It can occur weeks, months and even years after treatment.

How does a re-infection happen?

Today, this is less likely to happen than in the past due to advances in dental technology. It can still occur whenever you have a particularly virulent infection. Even though your dentist will do his best, occasionally an obstruction or another canal hides an accessory canal and the leftover infected pulp material that was not completely removed during the root canal treatment, can cause a re-infection.

How can I tell if my root canal has become re-infected?

Typical symptoms that you have another infection include:

• Tenderness or swelling by the tooth
• Pain when biting down in the area
• Small, pimple-like bumps inside your mouth by the tooth

What does the endodontist do different when performing a re-RCT?

A re-root canal treatment normally requires two visits.

The dentist will remove all the root canal filling material, fill the cavity with a special antibacterial paste, and close off the area with a temporary filling.

You will be sent home for a few days so the antibacterial paste can work and kill as much bacteria as possible.

At the second visit, your dentist removes the filling, cleans and shapes the area, then performs another root canal.

If you think you may need a re-root canal treatment, call Dentique Specialist Centre on 020 8360 0500 to book a dental exam.