Retreatment
A secondary endodontic procedure performed on a tooth that has previously undergone root canal treatment, with the aim of removing the original obturation and re-treating the canal system.
Full Definition
Endodontic retreatment (also termed 'non-surgical retreatment' to distinguish it from surgical revision) involves the removal of existing root canal filling materials, further canal debridement, and re-obturation of a previously treated tooth that has failed to heal or has developed new pathology. In editorial usage, 'retreatment' is correctly written as a single word without a hyphen; 're-treatment' is an accepted variant in British English but the unhyphenated form predominates in AAE and specialist journal style. Editors should note whether documents specify 'non-surgical retreatment' or 'surgical retreatment' (apicoectomy), as the two carry different procedure codes and clinical implications.
Usage
Usage note: Prefer the single-word form 'retreatment' in clinical documents. Always clarify whether retreatment is surgical or non-surgical when the distinction is clinically or procedurally relevant.
In Context
- "Retreatment was indicated following the development of a new periapical lesion on tooth 36, which had been root-filled five years previously." — Referral letter
- "The existing gutta-percha was removed using Hedström files and solvent, and retreatment was completed in a single visit." — Operative report