When a treated tooth doesn’t heal or gets reinfected, root canal retreatment may still save it!
Root canal therapy is a time-tested way to treat many serious conditions that affect the health and integrity of the teeth, from severe decay to fractures. It has a high success rate exceeding 97%; however, no treatment is successful 100% of the time. If infection persists after treatment, Drs. Chitra Tiruveedula and Joseph C. Yang of Advanced Dental in Aliso Viejo, California, may still be able to preserve your tooth with the root canal retreatment procedure!
What is a “root canal”?
“Root canal” is shorthand for a common procedure that preserves badly damaged teeth. So you can avoid the extraction or loss of the damaged tooth. The process involves removing any inflamed or infected tissue from the inside of the root canals at the center of the teeth. These canals are then cleaned, sterilized, and reshaped. Then, they are sealed off with a filling material to protect the treatment sites. The finishing touch is typically a dental crown, which is applied to restore the strength of the tooth.
Why would I need to have my tooth retreated?
There are several potential reasons. While many patients enjoy their treated teeth for years with no problems, sometimes a tooth may fail to heal properly afterward. Additionally, failure to follow any instructions for after-care can interfere with healing and promote reinfection. It is also important to maintain any follow-up visits; notably, you must restore your tooth as advised by our dentists. Otherwise, the tooth may remain weak and vulnerable to further damage. These complications are associated with early-stage root canal failures. Later-stage root canal failures may be related to things like inconsistent oral care, unhealthy habits (like smoking), and new fractures or trauma.
What are some signs that my tooth may need further treatment?
Many of the signs may seem familiar to you. After all, you may have experienced them before your tooth was treated. Now, they rear their ugly heads again. While some initial soreness may be expected immediately after treatment and as the anesthetic wears off, it is essential to contact us right away if any of the following symptoms persist or are severe in nature:
- Pain or discomfort that doesn’t get any better after treatment
- Swelling around the treatment site
- “Pimples” or puffy areas on the gums (that could be indicative of dental abscesses)
- Sensitivity that lingers even after the “source” (sweet or cold foods or drinks) is removed
- Intense pain when biting down
- Difficulty eating or chewing foods
How do you retreat the tooth?
Retreatment is similar to what you experienced during your initial treatment. First, we will ensure that the tooth is fully numbed and that you are completely relaxed before accessing the root canals. Any materials that were placed to fill and seal off the tooth are removed. Then, we skillfully address the source of your reinfection or persistent infection.
These techniques and next steps are specific to your situation, but they may include checking for other canals or narrow canals that may have been overlooked and treating those. Any lingering or new infection or damaged tissue is removed, and the canals are once again sterilized and reshaped. A fresh filling material is applied to reseal the tooth, and that’s it! Be sure to maintain follow-up visits at Advanced Dental. So, we can monitor how your retreated tooth is healing and then restore it with a crown.
We welcome your specific questions or concerns. Call our team in Aliso Viejo, CA, at (949) 289-9993 today.

Dr. Chitra Tiruveedula
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Dr. Chitra Tiruveedula has been practicing dentistry for over 20 years. After advanced training at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, she relocated to Orange County, CA in 2015. Dr. Chitra is a member of the American Dental Association and California Dental Association. Committed to continuous education, she provides top-quality dental services using the latest advancements.

Dr. Joseph C. Yang
Dr. Joseph C. Yang has over 30 years of dental practice experience. He earned his B.S. from Washington University in St. Louis, MO, and his D.D.S. from the University of Illinois, Chicago. He then had a distinguished 30-year career as a U.S. Naval Dental Officer, including a residency in Periodontology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Dr. Yang is a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and a member of the American Dental Association and American Academy of Periodontology. As a board-certified Periodontist, he has performed thousands of successful periodontal and implant procedures. He is also a renowned lecturer and trainer in the latest implant and periodontal techniques worldwide.