Endodontics
Re-RCT in Gurgaon
Sometimes a previously treated tooth becomes painful again - because a canal was missed, the filling degraded, or new decay let bacteria back in. Root canal retreatment (Re-RCT) gives that tooth a second chance instead of extraction.
Re-RCT is significantly more complex than a first-time root canal, and it is Dr. Shipra Jain's particular area of expertise. Under magnification, the old filling material is removed, hidden or missed canals are located, and the tooth is disinfected and sealed properly.
A root canal that hurts again is not a lost cause, though it is often presented as one. When a treated tooth flares up months or years later, the usual explanations are straightforward: a canal was missed at the first attempt, the seal broke down and let bacteria back in, new decay undermined the restoration, or the tooth cracked. None of those means the tooth cannot be saved. They mean the tooth needs a more careful second attempt.
Re-RCT is genuinely harder than a first root canal. The old filling material has to be removed without damaging the root, and the canal that was missed the first time has to be found - which is precisely why it was missed. This is done under a microscope, at high magnification, in a tooth that is often already restored with a crown or a post. It is unglamorous, slow work, and it is Dr. Shipra Jain's particular specialty.
Patients frequently arrive here having been told the only option is extraction and an implant. Sometimes that is true - a vertically fractured root cannot be saved, and we will say so plainly. But often it is not, and a second opinion costs a consultation rather than a tooth.
Why patients choose us for this
Saves 'hopeless' teeth
Many teeth scheduled for extraction elsewhere can be saved with expert retreatment.
Root-cause correction
We identify exactly why the first treatment failed and correct it - not just re-do the same procedure.
Magnification is essential
Missed canals are the most common cause of failure; magnification is how they are found.
What to expect
- 01
Assessment
X-rays and examination determine why the original RCT failed and whether retreatment will succeed.
- 02
Removal of old material
The old root filling and any posts are carefully removed.
- 03
Re-cleaning
All canals - including previously missed ones - are located, cleaned and disinfected.
- 04
Sealing and restoration
The tooth is re-sealed and restored, usually with a new crown.
Your options
Non-surgical retreatment
The usual first choice. The crown or filling is opened, old material removed, missed canals located and cleaned, and the tooth resealed - all through the top of the tooth.
Endodontic surgery (apicoectomy)
When retreatment through the crown is not possible or has already been tried, the infected root tip is treated directly through a small opening in the gum.
Extraction and replacement
Recommended only when the tooth genuinely cannot be saved - a vertical root fracture, or too little sound tooth left to restore. We will tell you honestly when this is the case.
How long it takes
Retreatment usually takes one or two visits of around 90 minutes. Teeth with a persistent infection may be dressed with medication between visits, which adds a couple of weeks but improves the outcome.
What it costs
Retreatment costs more than a first root canal because it takes considerably longer and needs magnification throughout. You get the full figure in writing before starting, including whether the existing crown can be reused or will need replacing.
Get a written estimateAfterwards
What the next few days actually look like, so nothing comes as a surprise.
- Expect more tenderness than after a first root canal - the tooth has been worked on twice
- Soreness typically settles over three to five days
- Stay off that side until the tooth is permanently restored
- We follow the tooth up with an X-ray after several months to confirm the bone is healing
The second opinion worth getting
Extraction is quick and inexpensive on the day, and expensive afterwards - an implant and crown cost far more than retreatment, and no replacement matches a natural tooth for feel. Before agreeing to lose a tooth, it is worth having someone who does retreatment daily look at the X-ray.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know my old root canal has failed?
Recurring pain, swelling, a pimple on the gum near the tooth, or an X-ray finding at a routine visit are the common signs.
Is Re-RCT worth it versus extraction?
In suitable cases, yes - retreatment success rates are high, and keeping your natural tooth is almost always better and cheaper long-term than an implant or bridge.
Does Re-RCT hurt more than the first RCT?
No. The procedure is done under full anaesthesia and is comfortable, though it usually takes longer than a first-time RCT.
My dentist said the tooth cannot be saved. Is a second opinion worth it?
Often, yes. Retreatment is a specialist procedure and not every clinic offers it, so extraction can genuinely be the best option they have available. Bring any X-rays you have and we will give you a straight answer, including when we agree the tooth should come out.
Will the existing crown have to be replaced?
Sometimes it can be opened and repaired; sometimes it has to be removed and remade. We assess this before starting and include it in the written estimate either way.
What are the chances it works?
That depends on why the first treatment failed, how much sound tooth is left and whether the root is fractured. We will give you a realistic assessment for your specific tooth after the examination rather than a general figure.
Is retreatment more painful than the first time?
The procedure itself is done under the same profound anaesthesia. Afterwards there tends to be a little more tenderness for a few days, simply because the tooth has been through more.