Root canal retreatment or extraction?

[Djc123]

Hi.

I had this root canal done by my general dentist 10 years ago. It has recently become infected and I am wondering whether an endodontist would be able to retreat it. Really hoping to save the tooth. Is it best to retreat or extract at this stage?

Also - is anyone able to tell me what the big black square is on the xray? I thought the infection was the black shadow directly under the root but the big square is alarming me.

Any help appreciated.

 

[Dr M]

It almost looks like the infection has spread and enlarged. I would suggest taking a panoramic x-ray in this case. If the infection is indeed that large, then the better option is to extract the tooth. If it was just a positioning issue or shadow, then the tooth might be retreated by a specialist.
Keep in mind that if the infection did enlarge to that extent, there is a chance that the pre-molar became affected as well.