Seonyudo Dental Re-Endodontic Treatment! How to Control a Root Inflammation That Keeps Growing

Hello, this is Kim Min-young, a restorative dentistry specialist at Seonyudo Dental Clinic.

Among the people who come in for dental care,

there are some who visit with worried expressions, saying,

"I had a root canal before, but it hurts again."

Many people feel anxious, wondering, "Do I have to get treated again?" and I think that is understandable.

Today, I’ll explain the related details.

When is re-endodontic treatment needed?

It is needed when the previously filled area was incomplete, or when a new infection has developed,

especially when a lesion forms at the root apex,

because it can relieve inflammation and preserve the natural tooth.

1. Cases that require re-endodontic treatment

If discomfort continues even though the tooth has already been filled, there may be several possible causes.

The most common case is inflammation at the root apex. The root apex refers to the tip of the tooth root, and if inflammation occurs there, the gums may swell and pain may develop.

Another cause, as mentioned earlier by Seonyudo Dental Clinic, is when the previous filling was incomplete.

Because the root canal has a more complex structure than expected, and branches out like tree roots, some tiny canals can be missed.

Also, if the existing material has become old or if new decay has developed,

bacteria can invade again and cause infection.

If it hurts every time you eat, or if something like a pimple appears on the gums, re-endodontic treatment should be considered.

If you leave it untreated, the lesion can grow larger and lead to extraction, so I recommend getting examined as soon as possible.

2. What is the process like?

The important point here is that it is a more complicated process than the first treatment,

and the first step is to remove all of the existing filling material after local anesthesia.

Carefully removing the hardened material while not damaging the tooth structure makes this process more complicated than expected.

Next comes the process of finding any missed root canals. At Seonyudo Dental Clinic, we use a microscope, and I believe it is important to identify even tiny canals that are invisible to the naked eye.

Once all the root canals have been found, we move on to the process of completely removing the bacteria that caused the inflammation.

After disinfection is complete, the space is filled with a biocompatible material so that there are no empty spaces and it is completely sealed.

Usually, two to three visits are needed, and each step must be carried out with enough time in between for a good result.

Using an isolation barrier called a rubber dam is also an important point,

because it blocks saliva and bacteria from entering the area and helps improve the success rate.

Precautions and care tips from Seonyudo Dental Clinic

There may be temporary discomfort, but this is a natural reaction, so there is no need to worry too much.

It usually improves in two to three days, and taking the prescribed pain medication can help reduce the pain.

It is best to avoid hard foods for the time being, and foods like nuts or ice can put pressure on the teeth,

so try to focus on soft foods like porridge and be careful not to chew on that side.

The most important thing is that a final prosthetic restoration must be placed. The area where the pulp tissue was removed becomes weaker because it no longer receives nutrition.

If a crown is not placed, it may fracture because it cannot withstand chewing forces,

so Seonyudo Dental Clinic emphasizes that you must keep the final appointment properly.

Regular checkups are also essential, and we recommend having the condition checked at least once every six months.

If a problem is found early, it can be solved more simply, so please be sure to get examined every six months.

The method I explained today can be seen as the last chance to save the natural tooth to the end.

Root apex inflammation often spreads over time, so it is not advisable to leave it untreated just because the pain is not severe.

Especially if discomfort continues in a tooth that was treated in the past,

or if a root apex lesion is confirmed through X-ray imaging, it is important to accurately identify the cause early and set an appropriate treatment plan.

If there is a possibility of preserving the natural tooth through a precise examination and diagnosis, it is worth fully considering that option.

That concludes the news prepared by Seonyudo Dental Clinic. I hope this was helpful, and I’ll end the explanation here. This has been Kim Min-young. Thank you.