Root canal retreatment in Varna
Medically reviewed by Dr. Iva Yordanova, specialist in prosthodontics ·
Root canal retreatment, also called endodontic revision, means removing the old root filling and cleaning, disinfecting and filling the canals again in a tooth where infection has remained or returned after previous treatment. An old root canal treatment with incompletely filled canals, or an infection that has come back, does not mean the tooth is lost. Retreatment cleans and fills the canals again – and in most cases saves the tooth from extraction, sparing you more expensive solutions such as a bridge or implant.
When is root canal retreatment needed?
Signs that an old treatment needs revising:
- Pain or discomfort when chewing on the treated tooth
- Swelling or a fistula on the gum next to the tooth
- An X-ray finding – inflammation around the root tip
- Incompletely filled or missed canals from previous treatment
- A crown about to be placed on a questionable tooth
How does retreatment work?
We remove the old root filling and the infected tissue, negotiate the canals with rotary instruments, disinfect thoroughly and fill them tightly and hermetically. Treatment takes one or two visits and is painless under local anaesthesia.
Is the tooth worth saving?
Almost always – your own tooth functions better than any artificial alternative. Modern retreatment has a high success rate, and afterwards the tooth is protected with a crown and serves for many more years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does root canal retreatment hurt?
No – it is carried out under full local anaesthesia. Discomfort after the procedure is mild and passes within a day or two.
What is the alternative to retreatment?
Extracting the tooth and replacing it with a bridge or implant. That is a more invasive and more expensive solution, so we first assess the chance of saving the tooth.
Why did my old root canal treatment fail?
The most common causes are incompletely filled or missed canals, complex anatomy or bacteria getting back in through a leaking filling. Retreatment addresses exactly that.