Endodontic Surgery
When Surgery is Needed, You Need a Specialist.
For the majority of cases, root canal treatment is sufficient to treat the problem. However, some cases may require a surgical intervention. Endodontic Surgery can be advantageous in treating cases that do not heal after root canal therapy, have cracks or fractures, or have canals which were missed or did not show up on traditional x-ray images. Apicoectomy, which is the most common endodontic surgery, allows for the treatment of diseased roots and surrounding bone without the destruction of previously completed dental work such as fillings and crowns.
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Endodontic Surgery
Learn how endodontists perform surgery to treat an abscess or infection and save your tooth.
Apicoectomy is the Most Common Endodontic Surgery.
An incision is made, and the overlaying gingiva is reflected to allow access to the diseased area. The infected area of the root-end and the surrounding bone is removed, and a small filling is placed on the end of the root. This filling seals off the root canal system which aids in preventing reinfection of the area. The gingiva is this repositioned and sutured in place. The bone will heal in the areas where the root and surrounding bone was removed over the course of several months.
Discomfort and some swelling are expected for several days after the surgical procedure as the initial healing takes place. Appropriate medications will be prescribed as deemed necessary. In most cases, patients rarely miss work. Close follow-up is included not only for suture removal but to also ensure proper healing is occurring. Patients undergoing Apicoectomy generally have quicker recovery and significantly less discomfort when compared to wisdom tooth extraction.