Cavity in tooth that has had root canal treatment

[sashabou]

I had a root canal on my back molar in 2006....I went to my yearly dentist check up tonight, and my dentist said there was decay in the tooth and to come back and have it filled, he also said I would not need freezing. He was in and out so quick I could not ask him any questions.....does this mean my root canal treatment could fail and is it normal not to have freezing?

 

[rob wain]

If the decay spreads and reaches the rootfilling then the rootfilling will fail and the abscess recur.
Good news is that the tooth has no nerve and so cannot feel pain. If the cavity is small then no freezing needed. The gums however are still alive and well so if the filling is deep you may need just a little anaesthetic