[Retreatment Root Canal Treatment] They Told Me to Have the Tooth Extracted While I Was Undergoing Retreatment at Another Dental Clinic... (Seoul Re:Generation Dental Clinic Microscopic Root Canal Treatment)

Dr. Junhee Jeon, CEO and Lead Director of Seoul Re:Generation Dental Clinic

Biography

Graduated from Seoul National University College of DentistryInternship and residency in Conservative Dentistry at Seoul National University Dental HospitalCertified specialist in Conservative Dentistry by the Ministry of Health and WelfarePhD in Conservative Dentistry at Seoul National University(Former) Adjunct professor at Seoul National University College of Dentistry(Former) CEO and Lead Director of Seoul Re:Generation Dental Clinic

Hello!

I am Junhee Jeon, CEO and Lead Director of Seoul Re:Generation Dental Clinic.

Today, I’d like to share the story of how we saved the molar of a woman in her early 40s after 5 months of “re-retreatment” root canal treatment.

The infection had spread to the maxillary sinus,

and the tooth had already been recommended for extraction after an attempted retreatment root canal at another dental clinic,

so it was an especially meaningful treatment.

This is the tooth seen at the upper right in the photo.

Please focus on the tooth inside the yellow dotted line.

First, we carefully examined the condition of the tooth through a detailed evaluation.

Even on a standard two-dimensional X-ray, the size of the inflammation at the root tip is quite large.

After taking a CT scan for root canal treatment, we could see that the inflammation was about to spread into the maxillary sinus, and signs of previous root canal treatment were also visible.

The bone surrounding the tooth is called the alveolar bone.

The alveolar bone of the upper molars is anatomically adjacent to the maxillary sinus.

In the photo above, you can see inflammation originating from the tooth dissolving the alveolar bone and then trying to invade the maxillary sinus.

Inflammation that has spread to the maxillary sinus must be addressed quickly.

If left untreated, it can lead to sinusitis (= rhinosinusitis = sinus infection).

The dental operating microscope,

the key to successful retreatment root canal treatment

The patient had already undergone an attempted retreatment root canal treatment at another dental clinic, but there was no improvement, and extraction was eventually recommended.

Wanting to save her natural tooth, she came to our clinic, and I deeply empathized with that earnest wish.

So I proposed retreatment root canal treatment using a Zeiss dental operating microscope.

A microscope helps us see tiny details that are difficult to identify with the naked eye.

Thanks to this, we were able to thoroughly remove infected tissue and contaminants that had not been fully eliminated during the previous root canal treatment, reducing the risk of reinfection.

Like turning on the lights in a dark room, the microscope is an important tool that increases the chances of success in retreatment root canal treatment.

Now, what was needed was consistency and patience!

Over the long span of 5 months, the patient consistently cooperated with treatment.

At first, the visits were once or twice a week, but as the symptoms stabilized, the intervals gradually became longer.

Once all sources of infection and contaminants inside the tooth are gone, what remains is for the bone to regenerate and the symptoms to disappear.

As shown in the photo above,

the root canal treatment was completed cleanly and solidly.

These are the before-and-after standard X-ray images.

These are the before-and-after CT images.

At the site of the inflammation that was trying to break into the maxillary sinus,

you can see strong bone regenerating again.

Finished securely with a PFM crown

Over the long course of 5 months, the patient consistently visited the clinic and actively participated in treatment.

As a result, we could see bone regenerating again between the maxillary sinus and the tooth, and the discomfort felt during chewing also disappeared completely.

As the final step, we made a PFM crown to complete the treatment.

The patient’s molar had very little remaining tooth structure, and the space between it and the opposing lower molar was narrow.

In such cases, a PFM crown has the advantage of allowing the chewing surface to be made from a thin layer of metal, making it possible to create a durable restoration.

We also considered aesthetics and made the visible surface similar to the patient’s natural tooth color to increase satisfaction.

At every stage of treatment, we communicated with the patient, reviewed the X-ray results together, and explained any questions in detail.

Thanks to this, the patient was able to feel at ease and focus on treatment.

The importance of preserving natural teeth,

compared with implants...

5 months is by no means a short time, but compared with implants, it is a much shorter period.

An implant is a procedure in which an artificial root is placed into the jawbone and a prosthesis is attached on top of it. If there is not enough bone, bone grafting may be needed, which can make the treatment period longer.

An implant is ultimately just a dental material. No matter how good the dental material is, it cannot perfectly replace a natural tooth.

As life expectancy continues to increase, if possible, repairing and using a natural tooth a second or third time is much more advantageous in the long run, both economically and physiologically.

Even with good care, an implant can still lead to bone loss around it, and there may be situations later where another surgery is needed.

Natural teeth have nerves and blood vessels surrounding them alive (for a tooth that has had root canal treatment, the nerves and blood vessels inside the tooth have been removed, but the blood vessels and nerves in the periodontal ligament surrounding the outside of the tooth remain healthy and alive), so they respond to external stimulation, and the sensation when chewing food is much more natural.

Therefore, extraction should be considered a last resort, and treatment should focus on preserving the natural tooth as much as possible.

Retreatment root canal treatment,

if you don’t give up, the possibility remains open.

As in this patient’s case, even if extraction is recommended at another dental clinic, you can still try retreatment root canal treatment without giving up.

Of course, retreatment root canal treatment is not possible in every case, but the chances of success can be increased through advanced equipment such as dental operating microscopes and the expertise of experienced clinicians.

If you have pain or discomfort in a tooth that has previously undergone root canal treatment, do not hesitate to visit Seoul Re:Generation Dental Clinic for an accurate diagnosis.

As a specialist in conservative dentistry from Seoul National University, I will personally provide the consultation. The earlier a problem is found and treated, the higher the chance of preserving the natural tooth.

I will continue to do my best to save my patients’ natural teeth. My treatment philosophy is to constantly communicate with and empathize with patients, and to help them regain a bright and healthy smile.

Sinchon’s No. 1 dental clinic,

Directions to Seoul Re:Generation Dental Clinic

Sinchon Station Exit 1 or 2

It is on the 3rd floor of Olive Young.

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