Should I have a re-root canal? - Dental Health Message Board

ian27 · 04-13-2004, 12:15 PM

I recently had two root canals done on two separate teeth for an abscess. One of them seems to have worked but the other has failed, so I spoke to my dentist today about extracting the tooth. She seemed quite reluctant to do it and is encouraging me to have a 2nd root canal done on the same tooth. In my opinion if it's gone wrong the 1st time, it could well do on the 2nd time round too, whereas if I have it extracted that's the end of the problem - correct?

I was wondered if anybody else had any experience of this and whether it was a positive or negative one? Any advice?

Ian

Dance4jc · 04-13-2004, 07:53 PM

Ian,
I have done both at different times. In one tooth after it failed I had a second root canal because it was a better options for me at the time instead of having it pulled. The second tooth was a back molar which already was not of much use since I did not have a tooth on the bottom for it to do me any good, so with this one I had it extracted.

Honestly it is best to try and keep your teeth as long as you can. I have lost many and spent WAY to much money in my mouth

If you are not sure if your dentist knows best, try to see an endodontist and get their opinion.

Good Luck

indy gal · 04-13-2004, 08:46 PM

Try and see if they will retreat it for free. After having endodontic surgury to remove the root tip of an abscessed molar, I continued to have problems. Since the previous procedure had maxed out my insurance for the year and didn't tecnically "solve my problem", the endodontist offered to re-treat the root canal for free. It is always worth a shot. Having the tooth extracted should be a last resort. (Had mine been the last molar in my mouth, perhaps I would have pulled it, but then I would have had to worry about a bridge or an implant. Too much hassle in my opinion).

MAPLMN · 04-14-2004, 09:43 AM

I had a root canal redone and it still bothered me so they ended up cutting the root tip (apicetomy) sp. I have had ongoing issues with it. It is best to try and keep the tooth but all of these procedures are expensive. Unfortunately even when you have insurance you reach your max awful quick. If I had to do it all over I don't think I would have had mine redone as it wasnot successful. That's my experience, yours may work, it's hard to know what to do.

JenniferWalker · 04-14-2004, 11:22 AM

Unfortunately, doctors often fail to let patients know up front that the success rate of root canals is about 90%. Any procedure is not a guarantee, despite the best effort.

I would say if its a front tooth, I would try to retreat it. Again, maybe not all of the tissue was removed the first time around and it reabcessed. Like another said, if it was a 2nd molar and was not being used, then I would consider an extraction.

It depends on what you would do with that space if it was pulled? If you can afford a bridge, then that is an option.

Your finances are certainly a big factor as well as your expectations.

Also, if this is a general dentist you are seeing, ask if she would refer you to an endodontist, even just for an evaluation. They do have special training in this area, but you will pay a great deal more for it though.

Sorry I couldn't give a direct answer to your problem.