Expert: Frederick R. Liewehr DDS, MS, FICD - 11/4/2006

Question
I have a root canal on a tooth that died when I was younger.

The first doctor (English) did a poor job on it. (They tend to do bad jobs in England, and I found that out upon returning to the States.)

Anyway: I have had to go through hell and back to try to get a doctor that is willing to retreat this tooth. Can you tell me why on Earth are so few doctors willing to redo a root canal? How much could there be to it? What more is there beside digging out the old filling and cleaning it out and replacing it?

Answer
I don't know why that would be, either. I am more than happy to do retreats, and do so all the time. Of course I am an endodontist, and you may be talking to general dentists who have less training, experience, etc. Retreats can be difficult, and may be impossible, but I simply inform the patient up front what the prognosis is, and we go from there. We cannot undo damage that has already been done, but often we can salvage teeth with either regular endodontic therapy or by a surgical approach. So, my advice would be to look for a good endodontist, and I don't think you will have any problem. Good luck!

Dr. Liewehr