Root Canal Surgery Apicoectomy saves teeth with failed root canal

Endodontic Surgery at VanEndo

Initially, a root canal is necessary when the soft inner tissue, or "pulp," of the tooth becomes inflamed or infected. This may happen as a result of deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth or a blow to the tooth. Endodontic treatment removes the damaged pulp. Then the tooth's canals are cleaned and filled to help preserve the tooth.

In a few cases, however, nonsurgical endodontic treatment alone cannot save the tooth. In such a case, your dentist or endodontist may recommend surgery.


Your Guide to Endodontic Retreatment

All dentists received training in endodontic treatment in dental school. However, because endodontic surgery can be more challenging than providing nonsurgical treatment, many dentists refer patients needing surgery to an endodontist, who is a valuable partner on your general dentist's team of trusted caregivers.

Endodontists perform routine, as well as difficult and very complex endodontic procedures, including endodontic surgery. Endodontists often utilize state-of-the-art technology such as digital imaging, operating microscopes, ultrasonic instrumentation and fiber optics while performing endodontic surgery. These advanced technologies and specialized techniques give endodontists a very accurate view of the tooth, helping them to treat the tooth quickly, comfortably and successfully.

Surgery can help save your tooth in a variety of situations:

  • Surgery may be used in diagnosis. If you have persistent symptoms but no problems appear on your x-ray, your tooth may have a tiny fracture or canal that could not be detected during nonsurgical treatment. In such a case, surgery allows your endodontist to examine the root of your tooth, find the problem and provide treatment.
  • Sometimes calcium deposits make a canal too narrow for the cleaning and shaping instruments used in nonsurgical root canal treatment to reach the end of the root. If your tooth has this "calcification," your endodontist may perform endodontic surgery to clean and seal the remainder of the canal.
  • Usually, a tooth that has undergone a root canal can last the rest of your life and never need further endodontic treatment. However, in a few cases, a tooth may fail to heal. The tooth may become painful or diseased months or even years after successful treatment. If this is true for you, surgery may help save your tooth.
  • Surgery may also be performed to treat damaged root surfaces or surrounding bone.

Although there are many surgical procedures that can be performed to save a tooth, the most common is called apicoectomy or root-end resection. When inflammation or infection persists in the bony area around the end of your tooth after a root canal procedure, your endodontist may have to perform an apicoectomy.

abscess in the bone after root canal treatment
Persistent infection in adjacent bone after root canal

In this procedure, the endodontist opens the gum tissue near the tooth to see the underlying bone and to remove any inflamed or infected tissue. The very end of the root is also removed.

Cyst removal during endodontic surgery
Cyst removal during endodontic surgery

A small filling may be placed to seal the end of the root canal. This is termed "retrofilling," and a few stitches or sutures are placed in the gum to help the tissue heal properly.

Root-end filling placed during apicoectomy
Retro-prepped and retro-filled root end

Over a period of months, the bone heals around the end of the root.

Healed bone cavity after apicoectomy
Healed damaged bone after apicoectomy

Other surgeries endodontists might perform include dividing a tooth in half, repairing an injured or damaged root, or even removing one or more roots. Your endodontist will be happy to discuss the specific type of surgery your tooth requires.

In certain cases, a procedure called intentional replantation may be performed. In this procedure, a tooth is extracted, treated with an endodontic procedure while it is out of the mouth and then replaced in its socket.

These procedures are designed to help you save your tooth.

Local aesthetics make the procedure comfortable. Of course, you may feel some discomfort or experience slight swelling while the incision heals. This is normal for any surgical procedure. Your endodontist will recommend appropriate pain medication to alleviate your discomfort.

Your endodontist will give you specific post-surgery instructions to follow. If you have questions after your procedure, or if you have pain that does not respond to medication, call your endodontist.

Often you can, but you should ask your endodontist before your appointment so that you can make transportation arrangements if necessary.

Most patients return to work or other routine activities within 24-48 hours. Your endodontist will be happy to discuss your expected recovery time with you.

Each insurance plan is different. A request for pre-determination can be sent to your plan prior to your procedure.

Your dentist or endodontist is suggesting endodontic surgery because he or she believes it is the best option for you. Of course, there are no guarantees with any surgical procedure. Your endodontist will discuss your chances for success during your initial consultation visit so that you can make an informed decision.

Though endodontic surgery is intended to help save your tooth, this is not always possible. Often, the only alternative to endodontic treatment is extraction of the tooth. Missing teeth can make you self-conscious, affect your ability to bite and chew, cause other healthy teeth to shift and have a negative impact on your overall health. For these reasons, the extracted tooth should be replaced with an artificial one. Though nothing looks, feels or functions exactly like your natural tooth, dental implants are a viable alternative to help you maintain a beautiful smile.

No matter how effective modern tooth replacements are -and they can be very effective- nothing is as good as a natural tooth. You've already made an investment in saving your tooth. The pay-off for choosing endodontic surgery could be a healthy, functioning natural tooth for the rest of your life.

Nothing looks, feels or functions like your natural tooth.

VanEndo specialists perform routine, as well as difficult and very complex root canal treatment and surgeries.

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