Microscope Root Canal Retreatment in Finchley

Root canal retreatment is needed when the original treatment fails to heal or becomes reinfected. Seek an assessment if you notice persistent pain, tenderness when chewing, new swelling around the tooth, or a pimple like bump on the gum. Sometimes a problem shows on a dental x ray with no outward symptoms. Common causes of failure include complex canal anatomy that was missed the first time, a delayed crown placement after treatment, or new decay that lets bacteria enter the tooth. Our 3D CBCT scans help diagnose these issues.

The key to retreatment lies in identifying what went wrong initially. The dental operating microscope is essential. It provides magnification up to 25x and illumination, revealing details invisible to the naked eye. With the microscope we locate tiny hidden canals that may have been missed, safely remove old filling materials and posts, repair small perforations, and treat complex anatomy. This precision raises the success rate of retreatment, which sits around 75 to 90 percent, and helps you avoid tooth extraction. For example, a recent patient from Finchley had persistent pain a year after a root canal elsewhere. A 3D scan and microscopic examination revealed a tiny untreated fourth canal in their molar. By cleaning and sealing this missed canal, we resolved the pain completely, saving the tooth.

Your treatment starts with a 60 minute consultation, which includes a 3D CBCT scan to thoroughly assess the tooth. The retreatment itself is completed in a single appointment lasting about 90 to 120 minutes. First, we administer local anaesthetic to keep you comfortable. Next, we reopen the tooth to access the inner canals. We then use the microscope and specialized instruments to remove the old filling material, clean the canals, and disinfect them. Once the canals are clean, we refill and seal them. A temporary filling is placed, and you return to your general dentist for a permanent crown to protect the tooth long term.

After the procedure you feel tenderness for a few days as healing occurs. This is usually manageable with over the counter painkillers like ibuprofen. Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until you receive your permanent crown. For the first 24 to 48 hours stick to a soft food diet. You can brush and floss as normal, but be gentle around the treated tooth. Attend your follow up appointment with your own dentist to have the permanent crown fitted, as this protects the tooth from fracture. Red flags requiring a call: Contact us during office hours (Mon/Wed/Fri 9-5, Tue/Thu 11-7) if you experience severe, increasing pain after day 3, visible swelling inside or outside your mouth, an allergic reaction to medication, or if your temporary filling comes out.

Retreatment often saves the tooth, but there are alternatives. The main option is extraction followed by a replacement such as a dental implant, a bridge, or a partial denture. An implant is a permanent replacement but involves surgery and a higher initial cost. A bridge is quicker but requires preparing the adjacent healthy teeth. In some cases where infection sits at the tip of the root, a minor surgical procedure called an apicoectomy might be an option. We discuss all suitable choices with you during your consultation in our Finchley practice.

To make an informed choice, here are important questions to ask any provider in North London: - Do you use a dental microscope and 3D CBCT scanning for all retreatments? - What is your success rate with this type of procedure? - How much experience do you have with complex cases like mine? - What are the full costs, including the consultation and scan? - What happens if the retreatment does not work? - Will I need a new crown afterwards, and is that included? - Do you accept my dental insurance such as Denplan or Cigna?

Root canal retreatment is a more complex and time consuming procedure than an initial root canal, so the cost is higher. The final fee depends on the complexity of the case and which tooth is being treated. During your initial consultation, we provide a detailed treatment plan with a full, transparent breakdown of costs. As a private practice, we do not offer NHS treatment. However, we accept patients with private dental insurance plans, including Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. Please contact our team to discuss payment options and your insurance coverage before your appointment.