Intentional re-implantation is a procedure which involves the “purposeful removal of a tooth and its reinsertion into the socket almost immediately after sealing the root tips.” Once a tooth has had root canal treatment, the root canal treatment stands a small chance of failing. However when a root canal treatment is failing an alternative option to apical surgery is to have the tooth extracted, inspected and treated outside of the mouth.

Provided the tooth is not cracked, the root tips are inspected and a filling may be placed in the root tips. With intentional re-implantation, the tooth is placed back in the socket and the tooth can be saved. While it is usually a treatment “of last resort,” success rates have been shown to approach 95%.