Had a root canal done a while back, but now it's acting up again. Dentist mentioned antibiotics first, but also said retreatment might be better long-term. I'm kinda torn... antibiotics seem easier, but retreatment sounds more permanent. Anyone been through this?
I totally get why you're torn... antibiotics do seem like the simpler route, but from what I've heard, they're usually just a temporary fix. My cousin had a similar issue and ended up needing retreatment anyway. Might be worth considering the long-term hassle factor?
"antibiotics do seem like the simpler route, but from what I've heard, they're usually just a temporary fix."
Yeah, that's exactly what's making me anxious too... My daughter had antibiotics for a tooth infection last year, and at first it seemed fine, but then the pain came back even worse a few months later. We ended up needing retreatment anyway, and it was pretty stressful for her (and me!). Has anyone else found that retreatment actually solved the issue long-term, or did you still have ongoing problems?
We went through something similar with my husband a couple years ago. Antibiotics knocked the infection down temporarily, but sure enough, it flared back up after a few months. Eventually, we opted for retreatment of the root canal. Honestly, I was skeptical at first, but it turned out to be the best decision in our case. The dentist explained that antibiotics alone rarely resolve the underlying issue—usually there's some residual bacteria or structural problem inside the tooth itself that antibiotics just can't fully reach.
After the retreatment (which involved cleaning out the canals thoroughly and resealing them), things improved dramatically. It's been almost two years now, and he's had zero issues since then. No pain, no swelling—nothing. From what I've read and experienced personally, retreatment really is more of a long-term solution compared to antibiotics alone... even though it's definitely more stressful upfront. I totally get your anxiety around it though; dental stuff is always nerve-wracking, especially for kids.
We went through something similar with my husband a couple years ago.
I see where you're coming from—antibiotics can feel like the easier route initially, but honestly, retreatment usually tackles the root cause better. Antibiotics alone often just delay the inevitable... I'd lean toward retreatment despite the hassle and anxiety involved.
