Root Canal Gone Bad After 11 Years; Implant?

Question

Had a root canal 11 years ago. It developed an abscess a month ago. Was shuttled off to a root canal surgeon for a re-do. Root canal surgeon said "oh no, you need an implant, since a root canal could go bad again." What's up? Dental assistant told me that the original root canal could have had a nerve ablation (burning out organic material at bottom of canal). Apparently this wasn't done. Seeking second opinions, advice from people who do these procedures. Tooth #19.

Elly Tehrani, DMD, MSD · Answer

Sometimes the failed endo could be retreated.  An endodontist could provide his/ her opinion on the prognosis of the tooth over the next 5-10 years. 

	you have to remember that Implants are not without problems either.  They could develop bone loss, infection.  So it is always better to have your own tooth "saved".

	you can always get and implant in the future. 

	In this case, if the root canal specialist already gave you the hopeless prognosis of this tooth, then better to take care of this site ASAP.  Have the tooth extracted, site bone grafted, and then implant placed.  The existing infection could resorb the bone further, and make implant treatment more difficult and costly.

Scott Young, DDS · Answer

There are times that a root canal can be retreated, however if an endodontist told you that it would not be successful I would opt for the extraction. Have the area bone grafted at the time of the extraction. Once the area has completely healed the dental implant can be placed. Good luck.

Ira Shapira, DDS · Answer

Root Canal Treatment is 90-95% successful.  A failed root canal can be retreated (lower success rate) or an apicoectomy (cut tip of root off) can be done.  

	 

	Sometimes there is a perforation (hole) of the root or a vertical fracture which are unlikely to have successful retreatment.of the root canal therapy

Joseph W. Worthington, DDS · Answer

When an endodontist feels that retreating a root canal is not the right course of action I believe you are getting an honest recommendation. One of the most common indications for Dental Implants are to replace failed root canals. I placed an implant in a patients mouth this afternoon for exactly that reason to replace the same tooth. The tooth was extracted 3 months ago and a bone graft placed. With the predictability of dental implants it is truly the treatment of choice.

Svetlana Novak, DMD · Answer

Without having all the information, such as seeing pictures and xrays I cannot give you my opinion. However, I would follow consider the treatment that the specialist recommended and not his assistant or seek another opinion to confirm the diagnosis.

Root Canal Gone Bad After 11 Years; Implant?

Answers (5)