Endodontic Surgery
Why would I need Endodontic Surgery?
Generally, a root canal is all that is needed to save a tooth with injured pulp from extraction. Occasionally, this non-surgical procedure will not be sufficient to heal the tooth and your endodontist will recommend surgery. Endodontic surgery can be used to locate fractures or hidden canals that do not appear on x-rays but still manifest pain in the tooth. Damaged root surfaces or the surrounding bone may also be treated with this procedure. The most common surgery used to save damaged teeth is an apicoectomy, or root-end resection.
What is Endodontic Surgery?
The following images illustrate this simple procedure. An incision is made in the gum tissue to expose the bone and surrounding inflamed tissue. The damaged tissue is then removed along with the end of the root tip.
A root-end filling is placed to prevent reinfection of the root and the gum is sutured. Following the procedure, there may be some discomfort or slight swelling
while the incision heals. This is normal for any surgical procedure.
To alleviate any discomfort, an appropriate pain medication will be
recommended. If you have pain that does not respond to medication,
please call our office.
After surgery, the bone surrounding your tooth will heal naturally around the root over a period of months restoring full function.