Is it ever necessary to repeat a root canal on the same tooth?

Answer by  martin (522)

Yes. When a root canal is performed, the canals are sterilized and filled with an inert material. If bacteria get into the canals, they can become infected. If this happens, the dentist may need to re-open the tooth, remove the infected filling material, and re-fill the canals.

Answer by  Amyjane (20)

Yes! This happens when the infection is so severe that the tooth's canal gets re-infected. The tooth needs to be opened so that the bacteria can be removed.

Answer by  Roland27 (16334)

No. When you get a root canal the dentist basically drills a hole in your tooth and removes the nerve endings. They place a rubber piece to block the hole where the nerves were so you cannot feel any sensations. You shouldn't ever need another root canal because all of the nerves are already gone.

Answer by  Fishtales (373)

No a root canal means that the root to that tooth has been removed. You no longer have a tooth that can experience pain. Once that procedure is done you will have a healthy pain-free mouth, and a lighter wallet as its expensive to do and takes alot of time.

Answer by  droberts32 (10)

Yes! This happened to me twice last year. In one case the tooth had additional roots that the dentist missed the first time, and these became infected. In the other case the infection reappeared in the gum below the tooth.

Answer by  tamarawilhite (17883)

Since a root canal essentially removes the root of a tooth, there should not be a root of the tooth to be treated by another root canal. However, an incomplete removal of the root may have to be corrected at a later date.

Answer by  Lisa66 (188)

If the first root canal was done correctly, no, it shouldn't be necessary to have a repeat root canal on the same tooth. You need to see a dentist (maybe a new one?) and have an x-ray done. The x-ray can verify if the first one was done correctly.