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You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Dentistry > Dentistry > Root canal retreatment vs extraction
Dentistry - Root canal retreatment vs extraction
Expert: Gary Backlund, DMD, MSD - 10/31/2009
Question
QUESTION: Root Cancel retreatment vs extraction
I had a root canal done on tooth #3 over 20 years ago; now there is an infection in one of the canals. Antibiotics have not helped so the options are retreatment or extraction. I know the importance of keeping the original tooth, however I was told the success rate for retreatment is only 50/50. I have also had a lot of nose bleeds on the same side and everything smells and tastes the same. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
ANSWER: Hi Lori,
I'm sorry to hear you're going through this. Actually, there is a 3rd option. Depending on exactly what the problem is, it may be possible to do surgery on the ends of the roots. That should only be attempted by an endodontist...actually, any retreatment should be done by an endodontist as well to give you the best chance for success.
If I were you, I would get an appointment with an endodontist to see what your options are. he/she would also be able to give you a good idea of you chances for success. Then it comes down to a very personal decision.....some patients will go through and pay for anything to try to keep their teeth, while others don't value them that much. It will ultimately become your call.
As an aside, your nosebleeds probably aren't connected, since there really is no connection between the ends of the roots and the nose and sense of taste which comes from your tongue.
Hope this helps.
Gary Backlund DMD, MSD
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Dr. Backlund,
Thank you so much for responding so quickly. To clarify further, the advise as to retreatment or extraction came from an endondontist. My concern was that the retreatment only had a 50% success rate. He believes the infection is in another canal that he will find upon retreatment. He said by extracting the tooth, the infection would definately go away, however the root is penetrating into the sinus cavity and that may not ever heal if removed. I just am uncertain as to which way to go in efforts to rid the infection and start feeling better. Thank you again for your time.
Answer
Hi Lori,
You're welcome. I just wanted to add one thing. If the roots are in the sinus and the tooth is extracted, in almost all cases, healing occurs normally. You would need to be careful blowing your nose and causing back pressure in your sinus for awhile and you may need to be on antibiotics to prevent sinus infection for 10 days, but other than that, healing should occur normally so I wouldn't worry about that. When I do root end surgery, I am in the sinus quite often and it's no big deal if the correct precautions are taken.
Good luck!
Gary Backlund DMD, MSD
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