Second Root Canal Same Tooth?

My husband had to have a re-treat done on 1 of his teeth that had a root canal done on it (last December.) He got an infection about 3 weeks after the procedure, and then the dentist just ignored us when we called to complain about it. The dentist should be providing this re-treatment complimentary--they will have to refund your insurance the payment they received for the initial treatment, and will have to bill the re-treat instead. Do not give them another co-pay. They have it already from the first one. I

I know how you feel. Sometimes there's a little side-tributary to the root that is not found the first time. It is not uncommon to have to re-treat a root canal, and no, you cannot typically get the original dentist to do the re-treat for free. It's probably not negligence and if it were, it would be nearly impossible to prove. There are no guarantees that a root canal will be successful and your original dentist probably went over this with you when you had yours done. I was very reluctant to get my root canal retreated, but I went to an outstanding endodontist and wish I had done it earlier! It was not bad at all; she really knew what she was doing. She did, however, tell me that retreats have about a 66% chance of success. If it's not successful, then you have to get the tooth pulled. Just pulling the tooth w/out a retreat is much cheaper, but then you have to ask, what am I going to do without that tooth? Having an implant to replace it is much more expensive than a root canal. My redone root canal has been very successful and I am happy I did it, even though it was around $1700 and insurance only paid less than half of it. When my root canals were originally done, I was told that I have very twisty roots, so it is hard to make sure that they get everything. When the endodontist redid it, she found the tiny side tributary that was feeding the infection in the gum, between two teeth. Good luck!

Hubby went to a specialist who did two root canals, but saved the tooth so it was worth it to us. It was so disgusting, He couldn't eat until the next day.

The answer you got about the side tributary root that was not found the first time is what happened when I had this retreat. They work thru microscopes now, and can find those now. Before, they had not been able to see them. You always want to go for saving the tooth. It is not uncommon to have this done. I know it is expensive, but you want to get out of pain and save the tooth.

When a root canal is going to fail, I think it usually will show some kind of problem right after the visit. Some residual pain or something. These dentists know this, and they will typically give you a MEGA whopper dose of ABX if you have any pain. Mine was "squelched" for 2 years. But the tooth felt 'loose' in the socket Apparently there was 'just enough' gum inlammation to not let the tooth sit down properly. it was being pushed up. It took 2 years to rear its ugly head but then it was hurting so bad I was crying even while on strong pain meds!. I had it redone, and much to my amazement, it has been ok. That was a year ago. knock on wood!!!!
I had it root canaled because i had an expensive crown done on the tooth above. If i pulled this bottom tooth, I would have had the top crown put in for nothing.

Even with a root canal the tooth may have more that one root or the tooth around the original root has decayed and needs more work. I don't know. I think pulling teeth is good so I never have to see the dentist again for that tooth...I hate dentists...seriously hate them.

You shouldn't need a second root canal if the first one was done correctly. If this is the same dentist I wouldn't pay for it, he should be responsible. I unfortunately have had several root canals and have never needed a second one done. I did need one of the teeth pulled because I didn't have money for a crown at the time and the tooth broke a couple of years later.