A root canal and apicoectomy are the two endodontic procedures that can save a tooth. Between the two surgeries, the root canal is the more common one. One will only get an apicoectomy if a root canal fails. If you want to know the difference between a root canal and an apicoectomy, here are the facts.
This procedure can restore a damaged tooth. Once the damage reaches the pulp of the tooth, infection will start to invade the tooth. Tooth decay and accidents are primary causes of pulp infection. If the structure of the tooth is still intact, the endodontist will perform a root canal. The endodontist will numb the area first with a local anesthetic.
Then, the endodontist will drill a small access hole in the center or the affected tooth. The endodontist will start to clean out the infected pulp with a special dental tool. Disinfection of the dental space will follow. Then, the endodontist will fill the tooth with gutta-percha. This filling material will also seal the access hole. If it is necessary, the endodontist will place a dental crown over the tooth to protect and strengthen it.
It is rare for the infection to persist after the root canal. If this happens, the endodontist will perform another root canal procedure. In other cases, hard deposits of calcium can fill the pulp cavity. This makes it challenging for root canal tools to reach the canals from the surface of the tooth.
This procedure is for infections on the tooth root. Before the procedure, the endodontist needs to take the complete medical history of the patient. A physical exam follows. The endodontist needs to pay attention to the medications or recent face or sinus infections. Once the procedure is set, the patient must take antibiotics, drying agents, and anti-inflammatories before going to the clinic.
The endodontist will numb the area first with a local anesthetic. Then, the endodontist will access the infection by first incising the gum tissue next to the toot. The access point may be from the bottom or from the side. An operating microscope can help view and extract the infected tissue. To reach the tooth root, the endodontist must push aside some gum tissue.
The endodontist needs to take a few millimeters from the tip. Filling the tip with biocompatible material will come next. This will seal the root. The endodontist will stitch the gum tissue back. An apicoectomy can last for half an hour to one and a half hours, depending on the complexity of the case.
After the apicoectomy, the patient can return to work the following day. Complete healing will take about two weeks. New bone will grow back around the treated tooth after several months. After three to five days, the patient must go back to the clinic for suture removal. This will take about five to 10 minutes.
The first solution to an infected pulp is a root canal procedure. If this procedure fails then it is up to the apicoectomy procedure to save your tooth. These treatments may have different access points, but they both aim to remove the infected tissue in and around the tooth. Seeing an endodontist can determine which procedure can help restore the damaged tooth.
Are you considering getting an apicoectomy in the Nashville area? Get more information at https://www.sheats-endo.com.
When you have an infected or severely damaged tooth, a tooth extraction may seem the only option. However, endodontic therapy offers an alternative. It allows you to save your natural tooth and preserve your smile, avoiding the need for future tooth replacement. This procedure, commonly known as a root canal, is designed to remove infection,…
Regardless of the severity, a cracked tooth requires immediate professional treatment. While minor cracks may only need treatment options like dental bonding, tooth extraction is necessary for severely damaged teeth. However, an endodontist can consider various options that other professionals may not offer. An endodontist usually treats cracked teeth that are too damaged for minor…
An endodontist is the right dentist to see when you have tooth pain. This person focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infections. A root canal is the most common procedure that endodontists perform to repair and save teeth. It is helpful to understand the background of these dentists. Their training helps them to…
In many cases, root canal recovery is even simpler than the procedure itself. Patients who are nervous about their upcoming procedure have nothing to fear, as they will be able to return to their normal lives afterward. A root canal is an essential procedure that entails saving a patient’s tooth and keeping it functional over…
Preserving natural teeth is always preferable to extraction for several reasons.
A vertical root fracture usually requires tooth extraction, but an endodontist can still save the…
Going to the endodontist should be your first choice when you have tooth pain. This…
Please contact our office today in order to schedule your root canal or to learn…
Once a break in a tooth occurs, it is 100% necessary to avoid foods that…
The endodontist will drill a small incision on the crown of the teeth to access…
