What Is Retreatment Cost And Process Details You Must Learn

Last month, one of my teeth suddenly started hurting. It hurt whenever I bit down on something, and I couldn’t sleep well at night. This feeling was all too familiar—three years ago, this tooth had undergone root canal treatment. At the time, I thought the problem had been resolved, but now it had flared up again. I thought to myself: “It’s already been treated, so why does it still hurt?”

With these questions in mind, I hurried to my regular dentist’s office.

The examination results were disappointing

The dentist took an X-ray and said, “The previous treatment wasn’t successful; there’s an infection inside again.” He also told me that I would need “retreatment,” which means re-treating the tooth. I asked, “Does insurance cover this?” He replied, “No, repeat treatments are typically not covered.” Then he quoted a price: $1,200. I was stunned—how could anyone come up with that much money on the spot?

Started Shopping Around for Prices

With no other options, I had to figure it out on my own. Over the next few days, I called five different clinics to compare prices. Some were cheaper, others were exorbitantly expensive. The most expensive was $2,300, and the cheapest was $900. With such a huge gap, who could I trust?

I also saw some ads for “dental discount cards,” but upon inquiry, I found out these cards were practically useless for follow-up treatments. All that time wasted.

No loan available, had to figure it out on my own

I tried to use a credit card installment plan, but the clinic required a credit check, and I didn’t pass. I asked a few places, but none of them worked out. Finally, I found an older dentist who was willing to let me pay 40% upfront and the rest in four monthly installments. It’s still a lot of pressure, but at least I can get it done.

To raise the money, I sold a guitar effects pedal I’d been collecting. It was something I’d used for years, and I was pretty sad to let it go.

First treatment: Removing the old crown

The first visit was mainly for cleaning. They first removed the old crown, which cracked with a loud “crack” during the process, which was quite unsettling. Then they carefully removed the old filling material from inside the tooth.

Next, they rinsed and disinfected the area with a strongly scented solution. The smell lingered in my mouth for several days and couldn’t be removed even by brushing. Finally, they placed a temporary filling and asked me to return in a week.

Second Treatment: Re-filling the Tooth

A week later, I went back for the second visit. The dentist checked again to confirm there was no residual infection. This time, they used new material to fill the root canal and performed a permanent seal.

Before leaving, they took another X-ray, and the machine looked quite advanced. The dentist repeatedly reminded me to use dental floss properly, otherwise there could be issues in the future. I said I knew, but in my heart I thought: as long as it doesn’t hurt anymore, that’s fine.

How long did the entire process take?

Combined, I spent roughly three hours in the dental chair. After each session, my jaw ached so badly it felt like I’d been punched. I couldn’t speak clearly, and could only eat soft foods like porridge, noodles, and egg custard.

For those two weeks, I barely ate any hard foods—I didn’t even dare bite into an apple.

Besides the cost, what other sacrifices were involved?

The most exhausting part wasn’t the cost, but the time and emotional toll. I took two days off work, disrupting my schedule. Eating was inconvenient, and I constantly worried whether the tooth would get worse again. What I feared most was: after this treatment, would it recur in the future?

This anxiety weighed heavily on my mind, greatly affecting my mood. For an entire month, the issue with this tooth never ceased.

Is further treatment worth it?

Now the tooth doesn’t hurt, and I can bite normally. From the results, spending this money was worth it. But the process was really tough—both physically and financially.

If I had paid more attention to oral hygiene earlier, maybe I wouldn’t have needed this treatment again. Now I brush my teeth and use floss carefully every day, just to avoid sitting in the dentist’s chair again.

Some advice for everyone

If you’ve had root canal treatment, don’t assume it’s a permanent solution. Regular check-ups are essential to monitor for swelling, pain, or discomfort when biting. Address any issues promptly rather than delaying until further treatment is necessary.

Additionally, when choosing a dentist, prioritize experience over cost. After all, your teeth are your own, and repairing them isn’t something you want to repeat.