👤 Challenge
When Anna, a 47-year-old patient from Warsaw, came to my office, I immediately noticed her fear. She had an upper tooth that was previously root canal treated but had become sensitive again, and there was a small swelling on the gum — a classic sign of chronic inflammation. Emotionally, she was torn between fear and frustration. Her previous root canal was traumatic, and now another dentist told her she needed an extraction and implant. The thought of losing her natural tooth and having invasive surgery overwhelmed her. She wanted to save the tooth but needed hope that it wouldn’t be another traumatic experience.
🔍 Diagnostics
Clinically, it was clear this was a case of complex root canal retreatment. The first treatment likely failed because an extra canal was missed or infected tissue remained. These are common reasons for failure — some teeth have tricky anatomy that basic X-rays don’t reveal. To truly help Anna, we had to find the hidden cause and keep her comfortable and calm throughout.
💡 Treatment Plan
- CBCT Scan: We obtained a 3D image showing an untreated canal and an infection at the root tip.
- Surgical Microscope: I planned the entire retreatment under magnification to catch every detail.
- Minimally Invasive Endodontics: I used micro-instruments to preserve as much healthy tooth structure as possible.
- Patient Comfort: I explained every step to Anna, reassuring her. She was surprised at how pain-free modern root canal treatment can be.
⚙️ Step-by-Step Treatment
1. Local anesthesia and isolation: We numbed the tooth and placed a rubber dam. Anna was relieved to feel no pain at all.
2. Access and removal: I opened the crown and, under the microscope, removed the old canal fillings with tiny ultrasonic tools.
3. Finding the hidden canal: Under magnification, I found a narrow, previously untreated canal and even removed a fragment of a broken instrument left inside.
4. Irrigation and disinfection: All canals were intensively disinfected with ultrasonic activation to clean them thoroughly.
5. Canal filling: After drying, the canals were sealed with gutta-percha and sealer. X-rays confirmed a perfect seal.
6. Restoration: We planned to protect the tooth with a full ceramic crown for long-term strength and function.
📍 Before & After
Before
- Failed root canal
- Visible swelling on the gum
- Fear of extraction and surgery
After
- Infection removed
- Tooth saved naturally
- Stress-free and painless experience
A natural tooth saved — thanks to precise retreatment by Dr Urszula Leończak.
“I didn’t believe it could be so easy. Now I’m smiling again, stress-free.”
💭 Doctor’s Reflections
- There is always hope — failed root canals don’t always mean extraction.
- Modern endodontics is friendly — retreatment today is practically painless and less invasive than extraction.
- Knowledge is power — I explain every step and show scans. An informed patient is a calm patient.
“With a microscope, advanced techniques, and empathy, we can save even the most complicated cases.”
📌 Takeaway
If you’re afraid of the dentist — call us. We’ll go through this together, calmly and effectively. Modern endodontics at Warsaw Dental Center means saving teeth comfortably and safely.
