Possible re-treatment on a root treated tooth

[mo100]

I started with dental anxiety years ago when I went for 2 fillings and then developed toothache afterwards. Both teeth then needed root canal treatment because the fillings went through nerves. Since then, I've needed an endodontist and 2 implants on other teeth. I panic about treatment and at it will cause me further problems and I have to see different people each time. I therefore now have good oral hygiene and try to do everything to avoid needing dental treatment. Sadly, the work I had done in the past is now needing maintainance so in the past few years, I haven't had a single year without treatment beyond check-ups and xrays.

On my latest routine x-ray, my dentist said that tooth lower left 5 may need a repeat root canal but she wasn't certain and suggested I get a second opinion. I have attached an image of the xray done this month and the previous one done in 2021. There is a small dark mark on both xrays in the same place. I had the root treated teeth crowned to protect them in 2021, thinking I wouldn't need a root canal again so I am confused as to why it would be infected again when I put the crown on it. Now I am worried about losing the crown too if they have to retreat the tooth.

I have no pain or symptoms. I am still paying for an implant on the other side so this can't have come at a worse time. If I don't have toothache, can I just put this off? Or does an abscess start quickly?

 

[Gordon]

If the dates on the films are correct, then it's getting a little bit worse, but over 4 years that's not too worrying.
I'd say you can afford to leave it for a while, it might flare up but it most likely will be OK for a while yet.
If you go for re-treatment that looks like a job for a specialist endodontist with a microscope, it's not an easy one at all!