Endodontic Surgery

Generally, root canal treatment is all that is needed to repair your injured tooth.  Occasionally, the root canal procedure will not be sufficient to completely eliminate the problem.  If the tooth is not healing we may suggest a surgical treatment.  Endodontic surgery can be used to remove persistent infections, locate fractures or treat hidden canals that do not appear on x-rays but cause 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.

Endodontic Surgery known as Apicoectomy, starts with an incision in the gum tissue to expose the damaged tooth and/or bone.  The damaged portion of bone or root is removed and the surrounding areas are cleaned.  Sometimes a root-end filling is placed at the end of the root to prevent re-infection.  The gum is sutured back in place.  The bone will heal naturally over the next few months.  We will closely monitor you and your tooth during this time.

Following this procedure you may expect some discomfort, swelling and possibly bruising of the surrounding area.  This is normal after any surgical treatment.  We will guide you through the postoperative healing with specific instructions and medications as needed.  We are only a phone-call away if you have any questions after your surgery.

Often, the only alternative to endodontic surgery is the extraction of the tooth. The extracted tooth must then be replaced with an implant, bridge, or removable partial denture to restore chewing function and to prevent adjacent teeth from shifting. Because these alternatives require surgery or dental procedures on adjacent healthy teeth, endodontic surgery is usually the most biologic and cost-effective option for maintaining your oral health.

Despite how effective modern artificial tooth replacements can be, nothing is as good as your natural tooth. The benefits of choosing endodontic surgery could be a healthy, functioning natural tooth for the rest of your life. Therefore being the foremost investment a patient can make.

Endodontic surgery may not always be the best option in your situation. We will not hesitate to recommend other treatment options when they are more appropriate. All possible treatment options will be discussed with you during your consultation with Dr. Saidha.

For the procedure, you will be given a local anesthetic, similar to what you would experience with any other type of dental procedure, such as a crown or fillings. We do not offer nitrous oxide or oral sedation but have alternatives to help manage patients' anxiety. These options will be discussed with you during the consultation.

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