Commonly known as an apicoectomy, root canal surgery is a procedure that can help save your tooth in situations in which a non-surgical procedure cannot achieve the necessary results. Oral care has come a long way in the last few decades, from ultrasonic tools to clean teeth to digital X-rays that are more efficient and faster than the traditional film plates. Even some of the more complex procedures, such as root canals, use advanced technologies that reduce pain and healing time.
The pulp deep within a tooth can become infected for several reasons, from lack of dental care to an injury. If the infection goes untreated, it may require that the tooth be removed. A root canal helps save the tooth by removing the infected material.
There are four steps to the procedure, performed over two office visits. Local anesthesia is administered to numb the tooth. A small drill creates an access point to the tooth’s interior, and the damaged or infected pulp is removed. An antimicrobial solution helps kill any remaining bacteria to reduce the chance of infection. Once the chamber is cleaned and dried, a temporary filling is applied. The permanent crown replaces the temporary filling in about two weeks.
According to the American Association of Endodontists, an apicoectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures performed to save a tooth. It is also called a root-end resection. After giving you a local anesthetic to help make you comfortable, the endodontist makes an incision and retracts the gum tissue near the tooth to expose the underlying bone. Inflamed or infected tissue and the root tip are removed.
Ultrasonic instruments and a special microscope are used to ensure the area is as clean as possible. Typically, a filling is used in the root, sealing the end of the root canal. The endodontist takes an X-ray of the area before finishing the procedure to ensure everything looks in order. Stitches close the gum tissue to encourage proper healing.
The amount of time it takes to complete the procedure depends on the location of the tooth and its root structure. Front teeth usually have one root. Molars and other teeth toward the back of your mouth generally have two or more. Nerves and blood vessels enter through the root, through the canal and into the pulp chamber to provide nourishment to the tooth. A typical root canal surgery takes 30 to 90 minutes, with those on the front teeth taking the shortest time and lower molars taking the longest.
Colgate reports that root canal surgery can be necessary for a variety of circumstances. If you have had a non-surgical root canal that failed and there is still pain, your endodontist may schedule an apicoectomy. However, that is not the only situation in which the procedure is needed:
Proper oral hygiene is crucial to keeping your teeth and gums healthy. However, it is common for unexpected circumstances to affect a specific area of your mouth, resulting in the need for root canal surgery. Seeing a dental care professional on a regular basis can help ensure issues are identified early so that the procedure has the best outcome possible.
Are you considering root canal surgery in the Nashville area? Get more information at https://www.sheats-endo.com.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Google: Read our Google reviews.
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…
A broken tooth is typically something that you will want to have addressed immediately. While not every break in a tooth is considered an emergency, most of the time, it is ideal to take action as soon as possible. The type of break in the tooth will likely determine the necessary action. However, in order…
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…