Occasionally a tooth that has had a root canal does not fully heal, or new problems develop years later. Endodontic retreatment gives that tooth another chance before extraction.
During retreatment, the endodontist reopens the tooth, removes the previous filling material, carefully cleans and re-disinfects the canals, and reseals them. Retreatment is often more technically demanding than the original procedure because the specialist may encounter complex anatomy, calcified canals or prior restorations. Many endodontists in the Sarasota-Bradenton area use surgical microscopes and 3D CBCT imaging to improve the odds of a successful retreatment and avoid losing the tooth.
Reopening and re-cleaning the canals through the crown of the tooth.
More complex multi-canal back teeth.
Surgical removal of the canal tip when retreatment through the crown is not possible.
Endodontists are root canal and dental-pain specialists. After dental school they complete two or more years of accredited residency focused on saving teeth. The defining credentials are AAE membership and board certification — Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics.
Procedure facts on this page draw on authoritative medical sources. Confirm specifics in a consultation.
American Association of Endodontists (AAE) ↗AAE — Root Canal Explained ↗Verify a dentist’s credentials and Florida license yourself:
AAE — American Association of Endodontists ↗ ADA — MouthHealthy (American Dental Association) ↗ Florida Board of Dentistry — License verification ↗