An endodontist with more than a decade of professional experience, Dr. Jamie Ring currently treats patients at his Westminster, Colorado, private practice, Foothills Endodontic Specialists. Dr. Jamie Ring regularly performs both root canal treatments and, for individuals who have experienced complications from previous root canals, root canal retreatment.
Root canal therapy involves removing infected pulp and nerves from the center of the tooth and the tooth roots. During this procedure, the endodontist uses tiny files to remove the infected tissues. However, root canals often have a complicated anatomy that can include narrow or curved canals that are difficult to see. Therefore, areas of infection may be missed during the initial root canal treatment, requiring a retreatment of the tooth.
In other cases, the dentist or endodontist who performed the first root canal procedure may have made errors in treating and sealing the tooth properly. He or she may have allowed saliva to contaminate the treatment area, placed the filling or crown incorrectly, or delayed placement of the crown after treatment. These scenarios are likely to invite a new infection that warrants opening the area and performing a second root canal procedure.
Dr. Jamie D. Ring 