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Root Canal Retreatment in Klaipėda

When a previously root-treated tooth hurts again, the gum swells or an X-ray shows signs of infection, the canals can be cleaned and sealed again. We work with a dental microscope, rotary NiTi instruments and rubber dam, and canal cleaning during retreatment costs from 140 € per canal.

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What is root canal retreatment?

Root canal retreatment means treating the root canals of a previously treated tooth again. First the old filling materials are removed, then the canals are cleaned again, treated with calcium hydroxide if needed and sealed tightly with gutta-percha. This makes retreatment more complex than first-time treatment, and it may take 2 to 3 visits.

For retreatment at Miško Clinic we use a dental microscope, which shows the inside of the tooth magnified up to 25 times: extra or calcified canals, cracks and fractured instruments. The canals are cleaned with rotary nickel-titanium (NiTi) instruments, and the tooth is isolated from saliva and bacteria with a rubber dam throughout.

Why does a treated tooth cause problems again? The reasons vary: complex canal anatomy, a canal that was not reached before, or a seal that has started to leak. Whether retreatment makes sense is decided only after an examination and an X-ray. Sometimes removing the tooth is the better option, so we discuss both routes before starting. Our article “Save a Tooth or Have It Removed?” explains how this decision is made.

Root canal treatment is the main focus of Dr Rasa Smilgevičienė's work, and Dr Lauras Smilgevičius also carries out root canal retreatment. You can read more about first-time treatment on our root canal treatment page.

When is root canal retreatment considered?

  • A previously treated tooth hurts again: sometimes this means that infection has persisted or returned in the canals.
  • A swollen gum or an abscess: a lump, swelling or redness appears next to a previously treated tooth.
  • Changes on an X-ray: signs of infection at the root tip can sometimes be seen even when the tooth does not hurt.
  • A leaking old filling or crown: if the seal has failed, the canals can become infected again, so their condition is worth checking.
  • Before a new crown or other restoration: if there are doubts about the canals of a previously treated tooth, they are worth assessing before new prosthetic work.
  • You have been advised elsewhere to have the tooth removed: if you would like a second opinion on whether it can still be saved, bring any X-rays you have.

How root canal retreatment works

  1. 1

    Examination and X-ray

    We assess the tooth, the old root filling and the tissues around the root; in complex cases a 3D CBCT scan may be needed. We discuss whether retreatment makes sense and what the alternatives are.

  2. 2

    Anaesthetic and rubber dam

    The tooth is numbed and isolated with a rubber dam so that saliva and bacteria cannot reach the canals.

  3. 3

    Removing the old materials

    Using a dental microscope, we remove the old root filling materials. If the tooth has a crown or a post, we discuss in advance whether they will need to come off.

  4. 4

    Cleaning and disinfecting the canals

    The canals are cleaned and shaped again with rotary NiTi instruments and flushed with antiseptic solutions.

  5. 5

    Interim calcium hydroxide treatment (if needed)

    If there is infection, calcium hydroxide is placed in the canals and the tooth is sealed temporarily for 1 to 2 weeks.

  6. 6

    Final root filling

    The cleaned canals are tightly filled with gutta-percha and sealer, and a control X-ray is taken.

  7. 7

    Restoring the tooth

    The crown part of the tooth is filled, and if the tooth is badly damaged we plan a post and core or a crown.

Root canal retreatment prices

  • Root canal cleaning during retreatment per canal from 140 €
  • Root filling with gutta-percha per canal 60–80 €
  • Treatment with calcium hydroxide, one canal 30 €
  • Microscope treatment or other hard-to-define work charged by time, one visit up to one hour 100 €
  • Dental X-ray 10 €

You can find the full price list here. We confirm the exact price after an examination.

Who carries out this treatment

Aftercare following root canal retreatment

After retreatment the tooth may be more sensitive to pressure for a few days, especially when chewing. This is a normal tissue reaction that usually settles within 3 to 7 days; ordinary ibuprofen or paracetamol-based painkillers are suitable.

  • For the first 24 hours avoid chewing on the treated side, especially hard food.
  • If the tooth has a temporary filling between visits, protect it; if it falls out, contact the clinic.
  • Carry on with your usual oral hygiene, using floss carefully.
  • After the final root filling it is important to protect the tooth from fracture, so complete the restoration set out in your treatment plan.
  • We usually take a control X-ray 6 to 12 months after treatment to see how the tissues around the root are healing.

Call us without delay if the pain gets worse and throbs, the swelling increases or you develop a fever. If swelling makes breathing or swallowing difficult, affects the area around an eye or makes it very hard to open your mouth, go to an emergency department; call 112 if you have difficulty breathing. Our urgent dental care page explains what to do in acute cases.

Why choose Miško Dental Clinic for root canal retreatment

  • A dental microscope: the magnified view helps us find extra or calcified canals, cracks and fractured instruments.
  • Rotary NiTi instruments: canals are cleaned and shaped with nickel-titanium instruments, more efficiently than by hand.
  • Work under rubber dam: the tooth is isolated from saliva and bacteria throughout treatment.
  • Root canal treatment is Dr Rasa's main focus: Dr Rasa Smilgevičienė has deliberately focused on endodontics since graduating from Vilnius University.
  • A shared decision: we discuss retreatment and the alternatives, including extraction, and you receive a written plan with prices.
  • Teamwork: after retreatment, the tooth's restoration is planned together with Dr Lauras Smilgevičius.

Root canal retreatment in Klaipėda: frequently asked questions

When is root canal retreatment needed?
Retreatment is considered when a previously treated tooth hurts again, the gum next to it swells or an abscess appears, or an X-ray shows signs of infection at the root. Sometimes it is also worth checking the canals before a new crown. Whether retreatment is really needed and worthwhile is decided only after an examination and an X-ray.
How much does root canal retreatment cost?
The cost depends on the number of canals and how long the work takes. Prices from our price list: canal cleaning during retreatment from 140 € per canal, root filling with gutta-percha 60–80 € per canal, calcium hydroxide treatment 30 € per canal, microscope work 100 € (charged by time, one visit up to an hour) and a dental X-ray 10 €. We will give you the exact total after an examination, and all prices are in our price list.
How many visits does retreatment take?
Retreatment may need 2 to 3 visits. If there is infection in the canals, calcium hydroxide is placed in them between visits and the tooth is sealed temporarily for 1 to 2 weeks. We discuss the exact number of visits after the examination.
Why is a microscope used for retreatment?
Retreatment starts with removing the old materials and finding every canal. The microscope shows the inside of the tooth magnified up to 25 times: extra or calcified canals, cracks and fractured instruments. Microscope work is charged by time: 100 €, one visit up to an hour.
Is root canal retreatment painful?
Retreatment is carried out under local anaesthetic, so any pain during the procedure is minimal. Afterwards the tooth may be more sensitive to pressure for a few days; this usually settles within 3 to 7 days.
Is retreatment always worth it, or is extraction simpler?
Retreatment is not always worthwhile. We assess whether the cause of the problem can be removed without disproportionate damage to the rest of the tooth, and whether the tooth can be reliably restored afterwards. If not, tooth extraction may be the better choice, and we then discuss how to replace the missing tooth. Our article “Save a Tooth or Have It Removed?” covers this in more detail.
Can a tooth with a crown be retreated?
Sometimes. We need to assess how well the crown seals, how much tooth tissue remains and whether the canals can be reached. We discuss in advance whether the old crown can be kept. If it has to come off, removing an old crown costs 50 € according to our price list, and the new restoration is included in the overall plan.
Will I need a crown after retreatment?
Not necessarily, but one is often recommended: after root canal treatment a tooth becomes more brittle, and a crown protects it from fracture. The decision depends on how much tooth tissue remains, where the tooth is and how much load it takes. Prices from our price list: a core build-up with a fibreglass post 80 €, a metal cast post and core 100 €, and crowns from 350 €.
What should I do if a retreated tooth swells or hurts again?
Call the clinic on +370 6333 7870: we will assess the situation and offer the nearest available appointment. If swelling makes breathing or swallowing difficult, affects the area around an eye or makes it very hard to open your mouth, go to an emergency department; call 112 if you have difficulty breathing.

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