Root Canal Treatment Endodontic treatment becomes necessary when the pulp of your tooth becomes inflamed or infected. Decay, repeated dental procedures, cracks in the tooth, or trauma to the tooth are all causes of inflammation or infection of the pulp. If an inflamed or infected tooth is left untreated, subsequent pain and abscess can result. During root canal treatment, the endodontist will remove the inflamed or infected pulp, clean the canal that encases the pulp, then fill and seal the canals. After root canal treatment, your dentist will place a crown or filling to restore the tooth to function.
Retreatment Occasionally, a tooth that has had root canal treatment may not heal or become re-infected after years of success. Common causes of re-infection are new decay, delayed placement of a crown or filling after root canal treatment, canal anatomy that was undetected, trauma, and broken or leaking fillings. Retreatment involves redoing the original root canal treatment, re-cleaning the canals, and filling and sealing the canals. After retreatment, your dentist will place a crown or new filling to restore the tooth.
