Introduction
As an endodontic patient, what should I expect?
A comprehensive examination will be performed to diagnose your pain or to assess the status of your tooth from a root canal perspective. At the same time an assessment to determine if the tooth is a good candidate for endodontic therapy.
Non-surgical treatment will be undertaken to eliminate the diseased pulp. This injured pulp is removed and the root canal system is thoroughly cleaned and sealed.
Under certain circumstances, endodontic microsurgery may be indicated. We are experts in performing this procedure, and utilize sophisticated equipment to ensure the best result.
f you have questions about endodontic surgery at our office in Vancouver, BC, please call us, (604) 879-0661.
Why would I need Endodontic Surgery?
Why would I need Endodontic Surgery? Generally, a root canal is all that is needed to save teeth 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 apicectomy or root-end resection.
What is an Apicoectomy?
The above diagram illustrates this simple procedure. An incision is made in the gum tissue to expose the bone and surrounding inflamed tissue. The damaged tissue is removed along with the end of the root tip. A root-end filling is placed to seal the end of the root and to prevent reinfection and the gum is sutured. The bone naturally heals around the root over a period of months restoring full function.
Following the procedure, there may be some discomfort or 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.
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