While dental implants, bridges, and dentures can all replace missing teeth, dentists go to great lengths to preserve rather than extract a tooth so you require a replacement. Root canals can save teeth by removing infected tissue and filling the empty canal with an inert, biocompatible material to keep a permanent tooth in place.
Sometimes, though, complications arise from the root canal procedure. If you’ve been told that your root canal has failed and the tooth needs to come out, it’s worth getting a second opinion with a dental practice that specializes in apical surgery, also known as apicoectomy or root end surgery.
RR Dentistry in Georgetown, Texas, specializes in apical surgery to save teeth after failed root canals and other problems with tooth roots. Check with our team first before accepting that tooth extraction is necessary.
Despite its name, apical surgery is not a complex or risky procedure. Specialists routinely perform it on children and adults to save teeth that are otherwise at risk of extraction. The most common application for apical surgery is after a root canal when infection and inflammation remain.
Also called root end resection, apicoectomy may be used for other problems with a tooth root, including:
When children suffer tooth injuries resulting in fractures, apical surgery may be used to preserve the tooth.
As with most contemporary dental procedures, a local anesthetic ensures that you have no pain while the apicoectomy takes place. Your surgeon accesses the tooth root through a small incision, enabling the removal of a few millimeters of the root’s tip and any affected tissue in the area.
The RR Dentistry team uses the Waterlase® dental laser system with 3D magnification to perform apical surgery. This approach is extremely precise and minimally invasive, which promotes faster healing.
A cleaning follows before your dentist places a small filling to seal the root. Post-procedure X-rays may be used to verify the success of the surgery, which typically takes between 30 and 90 minutes, depending on the complexity of your condition. Stitches close the incision, and healing begins.
Apical surgery can be more invasive than a root canal, so it’s possible you’ll have some discomfort or pain after your anesthetic wears off. Over-the counter pain relievers successfully manage these symptoms for most patients.
It’s normal to rest for a day or two after your procedure. Avoid brushing and flossing while your stitches are in place. You’ll likely have a follow-up appointment for their removal in about a week. In some cases, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to remove the risk of further infection.
You can request an appointment with RR Dentistry by phone or online to inquire about apical surgery or any other oral health-related concern. We’re here to help you, so book your consultation now.
