Laser-Assisted Root Canal Retreatment for West Finchley Patients

Retreatment is needed when the first treatment fails and the infection returns or persists. You should book an assessment if you notice a persistent toothache, new swelling around the tooth, tenderness when biting, or a pimple like bump on the gum. Sometimes a problem shows only on a dental x-ray with no outward symptoms. This often happens due to complex canal anatomy where narrow or curved canals were missed. If your dentist in West Finchley has found a recurring issue on a checkup X-ray, retreatment is the best way to stop infection and save the natural tooth.

Retreatment is tougher than the first procedure. First, you’ll have a 60 minute consultation with a 3D CBCT scan to locate the source of the failure. The treatment under a dental operating microscope lasts around 90-120 minutes. We start with local anaesthetic for a painless experience. Next, we remove the existing crown and filling to access the root canals. Then we clean the canals, remove the old filling, and search for any missed anatomy. Magnification from the microscope is essential. A laser is used at this stage to disinfect the canals. Finally we refill and seal the canals and place a temporary filling. You return later for a permanent crown. Success rates for retreatment are generally high, around 75-90%.

After your appointment you will have tenderness and sensitivity for 3-5 days, which is normal as you heal. This can be managed with over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen. Stick to soft foods for a couple of days and avoid chewing directly on the treated tooth until the permanent crown is fitted. You should brush and floss as normal but be gentle around the area. Red flags requiring immediate contact: Call our practice during office hours if you experience severe, increasing pain after day 3, significant swelling of your face or gums, a fever above 38°C, or if your temporary filling comes out. Please call during our office hours (Mon/Wed/Fri 9-5, Tue/Thu 11-7). For emergencies outside these hours, call 111 or visit your nearest A&E.

While retreatment often saves the tooth, there are alternatives. The main option is tooth extraction followed by a dental implant. An implant provides a permanent, stable look and feel of a natural tooth. It helps prevent bone loss but is more invasive and costs more than retreatment, with a total process time of 4-9 months. Another option is apicoectomy, a small surgical procedure to remove the infected tip of the tooth root. This is usually considered if retreatment fails or is not possible. A third option is extraction followed by a fixed bridge, which moves faster than an implant but requires grinding down healthy adjacent teeth for support. During your consultation we will discuss the pros and cons of each based on your case and goals.

To make an informed choice about your dental health, whether you see us or another practice serving West Finchley, consider these questions: What is your success rate with root canal retreatment specifically? What technology do you use to find the cause of the failure, such as a microscope or CBCT? How does laser disinfection compare to other methods you use? What is the full cost including the final crown? How many appointments will the entire process take? What are the risks if I skip retreatment? Do you accept my dental insurance such as Denplan or Cigna?

Root canal retreatment is more demanding than an initial root canal and the price reflects this. Pricing depends on the tooth location and the specifics of the case. A full personalised quote is provided at your consultation with no hidden fees. Our investment in technology like 3D CBCT scanning and dental operating microscopes helps raise success rates by letting us see what is not visible to the naked eye. Case example: A patient from West Finchley had a dull ache in a lower molar treated 10 years ago. Our CBCT showed a fourth untreated canal that caused the persistent infection. Using the microscope, Dr. Reddy located and treated this canal, saving the tooth. We accept private dental insurance from Denplan, Cigna, and Max Bupa. Please contact us to discuss coverage.