Apicoectomy
While there are different surgical procedures intended to save a tooth, apicoectomy or root-end resection is among the common ones. Referred to as endodontic microsurgery, apicoectomy allows our endodontist in Carson City, NV to remove the tip of the root and seal the root canals. At Carson City Endodontics, we have vast experience in performing endodontic surgery.
Before choosing apicoectomy, we try to see if root canal re-treatment can work. It is only after ascertaining that endodontic re-treatment cannot do the trick that we opt for an apicoectomy. Failure to conduct endodontic surgery could allow the infection to worsen, leading to tooth loss.
What Is Apicoectomy?
Endodontic surgery or apicoectomy is a surgery done to access an individual’s root canal, as well as the adjacent areas to treat a tooth and the affected gum tissue underneath the gumline. Our endodontist may perform an apicoectomy to remove damaged filling material, remove calcified canals or calcium deposits, or treat damaged root surfaces.
Why Would You Need Apicoectomy?
In most cases, root canal therapy or endodontic treatment is all you need to have your tooth saved from loss or extraction. Sometimes, however, these non-surgical procedures are not sufficient to ensure the successful healing of a tooth. In this case, our endodontist recommends surgery. We can use apicoectomy to locate canal parts that are not captured by X-rays but present pain or have been infected.
Endodontic surgery may also help in locating fractures not detected in X-ray images, and which expose the tooth root to infection. Furthermore, persistent infection within the bone area or damaged root surfaces after root canal therapy may need to be treated using apicoectomy.
What Happens During Apicoectomy or Endodontic Surgery?
Several steps are involved in the apicoectomy procedure, including gum tissue retraction, removal of damaged, inflamed, or diseased tissue, and removal of the root tip. The procedure also involves an inspection of the root end and filling or repair of the root end.
Our endodontist will administer a local anesthetic, allowing the area around the tooth to be numbed. The root canal specialist does an incision within the gum tissue in order to expose the bone as well as the surrounding diseased tissue. We remove the tissue along with the tooth root end. Thereafter, we do a root-end filling that is placed to help prevent reinfection.
We then finish the procedure by suturing the gum to allow the bone to naturally heal around the root. This way, we are able to restore the normal function of your tooth. Our endodontist specialist will ensure the utmost precision and thoroughness throughout the procedure. After the procedure, most of our patients can get back to normal daily activities or work within two to three days.
You may have some slight swelling and discomfort as the incision heals. However, this is typical for any surgery. We ask you to avoid crunchy or hard food items due to the irritation they may cause to the gums. Also, avoid using a straw, drinking alcohol, and smoking because they can interrupt the healing process or cause bleeding.
Contact us at Carson City Endodontics if your earlier treated root infection or inflammation reoccurs. Our dedicated endodontist in Carson City, NV will see if endodontic surgery is necessary. Call 775-871-1177 to schedule a consultation!