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Ellicott City, MD 21043

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Endodontic Retreatment Ellicott City, MD

At GentleCare Endodontics in Ellicott City, MD, our goal is to help you preserve your natural teeth for life. If you’ve had a root canal in the past but your tooth is hurting again or showing signs of infection, you may need endodontic retreatment. This advanced procedure enables Dr. Priya Chand to re-enter the tooth, clean and seal it again, and give it a second chance to heal.

Sometimes, even after a successful root canal, a tooth may not heal properly or may become infected again years later. With today’s technology and a skilled specialist, retreatment can fix the problem and help you avoid tooth loss. At GentleCare Endodontics, we treat retreatment cases with care, precision, and compassion.

 

What To Expect

Endodontic retreatment is very similar to a regular root canal, but it focuses on correcting or improving a previous procedure. Here’s what you can expect when you visit our office:

Step 1: Diagnosis and Imaging

Dr. Chand will begin with a full exam and take digital X-rays or 3D scans to get a clear picture of your tooth. These images help her spot any signs of infection, missed canals, or complications that may not have been visible during your original root canal.

Step 2: Numbing the Area

We will carefully numb the area around your tooth with local anesthesia to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure. For those who feel nervous, we offer sedation dentistry to help you feel calm and at ease.

Step 3: Reopening the Tooth

Dr. Chand will gently reopen the crown or filling placed during your original root canal. She will remove the old root canal filling material to gain access to the inside of the tooth.

Step 4: Cleaning and Inspecting

Using a microscope and small instruments, Dr. Chand will clean the root canals again and carefully inspect the tooth for hidden or untreated areas. She will remove any remaining infection and disinfect the canals completely.

Step 5: Sealing and Protecting the Tooth

Once everything is cleaned and prepared, the root canals are filled and sealed with a new material. Depending on your case, a temporary filling may be placed until you return to your general dentist for a new crown or permanent restoration.

This retreatment process may take one or two visits depending on how complex the case is. Most patients feel better soon after the procedure, and the tooth has a much better chance of lasting for many years to come.

Why Someone May Need Endodontic Retreatment

Most root canal treatments are successful and last a long time. But in some cases, a tooth may not heal completely or can become infected again. This may happen weeks, months, or even years after the first treatment.

Reasons for needing retreatment may include:

  • Missed or hidden canals that were not cleaned during the first procedure.
  • Complex root shapes that made it hard to treat all areas of the tooth the first time.
  • Delayed crown placement, which can allow bacteria to re-enter the tooth.
  • New decay or damage, such as a cracked crown or tooth fracture.
  • Persistent or returning infection, even after the original root canal.

If you’re feeling pain, tenderness, swelling, or pressure in a tooth that already had a root canal, it’s important to get it checked. Retreatment can stop the infection, relieve your symptoms, and help save your natural tooth.

How We Make You Comfortable

We understand that needing another procedure on a tooth that already had treatment can be frustrating or even upsetting. At Gentle Care Endodontics, your comfort is always our top priority.

Here’s how we help make the experience easier:

  • Kind, patient-focused care: Dr. Priya Chand takes the time to explain everything clearly, answer your questions, and make sure you feel informed and supported every step of the way.
  • Sedation options available: If you feel anxious about dental procedures, we offer sedation dentistry to help you stay relaxed and comfortable. Many patients feel at ease and say the visit goes by quickly.
  • Advanced technology: We use microscopes, digital imaging, and modern tools that allow for more precise and thorough retreatments. This increases your chances of a successful outcome.
  • Quiet, calming environment: Our office is designed to be a peaceful space where patients of all ages feel welcomed and cared for.
  • Most of all, we understand what you’re going through. Our team is here to make sure your visit is as easy and pain-free as possible — from the moment you walk in to the moment you leave.

Schedule Your Retreatment Appointment Today

If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort in a tooth that has already had a root canal, don’t wait for symptoms to get worse. Endodontic retreatment can give your tooth a second chance — and give you relief from pain and infection.

Dr. Priya Chand and the team at GentleCare Endodontics in Ellicott City, MD, are here to help. With expert care and a gentle approach, we’re ready to guide you through your retreatment with comfort and confidence.

Call our office today at 410-988-6502 to schedule an appointment, or use our online request form to get started. We look forward to helping you heal — and helping you smile again.