Re-Root Canal Treatment (Re-RCT) in London

Re-RCT – Re-Root Canal Treatment in London

Cases of failed root canal treatments can now be successfully treated, thanks to modern technologies. A failed root canal treatment can be potentially recognised by pain and/or swelling.

New technologies have increased success rates of treating failed root canal treatments and as a result we can offer a re-root canal treatment in London. Some examples of the technologies used for re-RCT include:

• Magnification loupes/ Microscopes with fibre optic lighting system have improved a dentist’s vision and therefore the chances of the treatment’s success.
• Ultrasonic devices allow our endodontists to more efficiently and accurately remove old root canal materials and other intra-canal hindrances so that a success can be achieved even with most difficult root canal failure cases.
• Improved instruments, better materials and medicaments for disinfecting, filling, and repairing root canals and innovative new technologies have lead dentists and the patients to get re-treatments completed for a higher number of root canal failure cases. The bacteria Enterococcus Faecalis has been found to cause some root canal treatments to fail. Iodine has been found as a suitable disinfecting agent which kills this bacteria and increases chances of re root canal treatment success.

Our dentists can now treat the root canal cases with better diagnosis and visualization thanks to new technologies such as digital radiography. Also, the radiation exposure has been greatly reduced with digital radiography.

The Main Purpose of Root Canal Treatment

The pulp has a path that runs down through the inside of the tooth and into the gum and jawbone. This path is known as a root canal. In some cases, a single tooth can have more than one root canal. The term root canal is slightly misleading because it implies that the pulp and the root canal of the tooth are empty. However, the pulp and the root canal are made up of soft tissue that contains nerves and blood vessels.

If the pulp becomes infected by bacteria it will begin to die, which could result in the loss of the tooth. There is also the risk that the infection could spread down into the root canal, which may lead to the development of a painful dental abscess (a pus-filled swelling). The infection could then spread to your gums (causing a perio-endo lesion) or the tissue and bones that support your teeth (periodontitis). This is often dealt with by a specialist Periodontist.

Root canal treatment is designed to save the tooth and prevent the risk of root canal infection. The inflamed or infected pulp is removed from the tooth and the root canal is then cleaned of all bacteria. After the bacteria has been removed, the root canal and pulp are filled in using an artificial substance, before being sealed.

Re Root Canal Treatments Before and After (pictures supplied by Dr Nojan Khalehoghli)

What Causes Root Canal Treatment to Fail & Lead to the need for Re-RCT?

A few reasons why your initial root canal treatment could have failed include:

• Untreated or missed root canals
• Remaining or leftover infected pulp tissue
• Incompletely treated canals
• Coronal leakage
• Fracture or Crown or Tooth
• Periodontal or Gum infection – Perio-endo Lesion
• Over extension of GP point into peri apical region
• Breakage of file in the root canal

Re-RCT Treatment Options

In case of root canal failure, 3 options are available for re-root canal treatment in London – patients can either opt for:

1. Non-surgical endodontic re-treatment
2. Surgical endodontic procedure done (Apicectomy with retrograde filling)
3. Extraction of the tooth

Today, well-trained general dentists and root canal specialists (endodontists) alike can perform non – surgical endodontic root canal re-treatment, which is very cost effective, time saving and quite predictable as compared to other treatment alternatives like tooth extraction. But at times the root canal failure case cannot be re-treated by non-surgical methods. In these cases, dentists can use surgical endodontics to re-treat a root canal failure case, which may be preferred over tooth extraction.

Non-Surgical Root Canal Re-Treatment Method

The main aim of non-surgical endodontic procedure is to save the endodontically failed tooth. But at times, patients’ own dental crown needs to be removed. In some cases, access can be made possible through the existing crown. This crown may later need to be replaced.

When access to the pulp chamber has been effectively gained the procedure may further involve the following steps:

• Post and core removal or any broken instrument from the root canal/pulp space.
• Locating and treating the earlier missed or undetected canals.
• Removing the earlier filled material from the root canal spaces
• Improving the quality of the root canal shape to accept a better root canal filling
• Making way through the blocked canals and by-passing/repairing canal ledges.
• Repairing any mechanical and pathological perforations of the root present.

Once these objectives are achieved, the root canal space is cleaned well, re-shaped, completely disinfected and finally sealed.   A protective restoration can then be placed in the end to restore the proper tooth form, function, and aesthetics.

Re-RCT Costs with Smile Cliniq

The re-RCT costs in London are variable and depend on the complexity of the case. With Smile Cliniq, re-RCT costs can be anywhere from £450-£950.

More Information About Re-RCT Treatment in London

Complications of Root Canal Re-Treatment

Root canal re-treatment is a safe procedure, but complications may occur after procedure. Re-infection may occur after root canal re-treatment. To avoid any complications after root canal re-treatment, procedure should be done by an experienced endodontist or specially trained dentist.

The Surgical Endodontic Procedure

Surgical method of treating a root canal failure case involves raising a small flap adjacent to the involved tooth to gain entry and treat the root canal infection. Surgical line of root canal treatment is a minor in office procedure done under local anesthesia. When the infected area is exposed the dentist performs curettage (the removal of diseased and infected tissue by  scooping).

This is usually followed by the apicoectomy procedure in which the infected root portion especially the root tip is removed. A small filling is then placed from the root end side to seal the left healthy part of the tooth root. Surgical endodontic procedure tends to give a good long term prognosis if the entire infection can be effectively eliminated.

Unfortunately, at times the re-treatment efforts and surgical endodontic procedures may not be possible or cost-effective and tooth extraction may be the only alternative. But to save a previously endodontically treated tooth which is failing is usually possible and predictable, being the most conservative option for the patient.

Re-RCT FAQs

How many appointments do you need for root canal re-treatment in London?

Mostly root canal re-treatment can be done in 1-2 sittings. However, to make a final restoration for the tooth, this may take another 2 sittings if required.  Most root canal treated teeth are restored with dental crowns.

What is the pain like after Re-root canal treatment in London?

The pain after Root Canal Re-Treatment in London can vary. Patients may on occasion experience some pain and soreness for several days after root canal re-treatment in London. For pain relief after re-RCT, patient can take general pain medications. It is also advised that you eat soft foods during this time to alleviate unwanted pressure in painful areas.

How Successful Is Root Canal Re-Treatment in London?

Root canal re-treatment will remove the infection from the tooth and will relieve pain and discomfort of the patient. Root canal re-treatment saves natural tooth structure and treated tooth can function for years and can function throughout life.

Success rate and prognosis of root canal re-treated tooth is not as good as root canal treatment done for the first time. If root canal re-treatment is unsuccessful, then patient can get endodontic surgery done or can opt for tooth extraction with replacement of missing tooth with dental implants or dental bridge.

Non-Surgical Root Canal Re-Treatment Method

The main aim of Non-surgical endodontic procedure is to save the endodontically failed tooth. But at times, patients’ own dental crown needs to be removed. In some cases access can be made possible through the existing crown. This crown may later need to be replaced.

When access to the pulp chamber has been effectively gained the procedure may further involve the following steps:-

Post and core removal or any broken instrument from the root canal/pulp space.

Locating and treating the earlier missed or undetected canals.

Removing the earlier filled material from the root canal spaces

Improving the quality of the root canal shape to accept a better root canal filling

Making way through the blocked canals and by-passing/repairing canal ledges.

Repairing any mechanical and pathological perforations of the root present.
Once these objectives are achieved, the root canal space is cleaned well, re-shaped, completely disinfected and finally sealed.   A protective restoration can then be placed in the end to restore the proper tooth form, function and aesthetics.

Number of Appointments for Root Canal Re-treatment Procedure
Mostly root canal re-treatment can be done in 1-2 sittings.  However to make a final restoration for the tooth, this may take another 2 sittings if required.  Most root canal treated teeth are restored with dental crowns.

Pain after Root Canal Re-Treatment
Patient may on occasion experience some pain and soreness for several days after root canal re-treatment procedure.   For pain relief after root canal re-treatment, patient can take general pain medications.

How Successful Is Root Canal Re-Treatment Procedure
Root canal re-treatment will remove the infection from the tooth and will relieve pain and discomfort of the patient. Root canal re-treatment saves natural tooth structure and treated tooth can function for years and can function throughout life.
Success rate and prognosis of root canal re-treated tooth is not as good as root canal treatment done for the first time. If root canal re-treatment is unsuccessful, then patient can get endodontic surgery done or can opt for tooth extraction with replacement of missing tooth with dental implants or dental bridge.

Costs
These are variable and depend on the complexity of the case but can be anywhere from £450-£950.

Complications of Root Canal Re-Treatment
Root canal re-treatment is a safe procedure but complications may occur after procedure. Re-infection may occur after root canal re-treatment. To avoid any complications after root canal re-treatment, procedure should be done by an experienced endodontist or specially trained dentist.

Surgical Endodontic Procedure
Surgical method of treating a root canal failure case involves raising a small flap adjacent to the involved tooth in order to gain entry and treat the root canal infection. Surgical line of root canal treatment is a minor in office procedure done under local anesthesia. When the infected area is exposed the dentist performs curettage (the removal of diseased and infected tissue by  scooping).

This is usually followed by the apicoectomy procedure in which the infected root portion especially the root tip is removed. A small filling is then placed from the root end side to seal the left healthy part of the tooth root. Surgical endodontic procedure tends to give a good long term prognosis if the entire infection can be effectively eliminated.

Unfortunately at times the re-treatment efforts and surgical endodontic procedures may not be possible or cost-effective and tooth extraction may be the only alternative. But to save a previously endodontically treated tooth which is failing is usually possible and predictable, being the most conservative option for the patient.