Let’s Remove Infection With The End Of The Root Tip!

If you have had a root canal procedure, but that same tooth is giving you problems again, your dentist may suggest a different dental procedure— an apicoectomy. It is a small or minor surgical procedure that takes off the apex, or very tip, of the tooth’s root. It is also known as root end surgery, root resection, retrograde root canal treatment, or root-end filling, which might be needed if an infection develops or continues after a root canal. Hence, mostly it cures an infection developed post-root canal. Here, the dentist opens the gum tissue near the tooth to check the underlying bone and to eradicate if any inflamed or infected tissue is prevailing. At first, the tip of the root is also removed by the treatment, and then the small filling is placed in the root to close the end of the root canal, and a few stitches or sutures are put in the gingiva. This helps to make the tissue to be healed properly. Hence, over months, the bone heals around the end of the root.

Need Of The Apicoectomy Procedure

An apicoectomy might be necessary if an infection develops or continues post-root canal. If this is recommended for you, it means a conventional root canal treatment cannot recover your tooth. Most of the time, the only alternative to an apicoectomy is removing the tooth, which could affect adjacent healthy teeth. The objective is to preserve the function of your natural tooth. This procedure also helps if:

• You have prolonged symptoms, but no problems appear on your x-ray, your tooth may have small fracture or canal that could not be discovered during nonsurgical treatment. In such a case, this surgery allows your endodontist to examine the entire root of your tooth and solve the problems.
• Your tooth has “calcification,” your endodontist may perform endodontic surgery to clean and seal the remainder of the canal.
• In some cases, a tooth may not recover or become infected after the root canal is done. A tooth may become painful or damaged months together or even years after successful treatment. 
• Your root surfaces or surrounding bone are damaged.

Process of Apicoectomy

In this procedure, at first, local anesthesia is used to make you feel comfortable. During the treatment, an incision is done in the gum near the tooth to get rid of any inflamed or infected tissue. The gum is cut and raised to reach the root of the tooth. Your dentist will also replace the tip of the tooth’s root. The end of the root canal is fixed and closed with a minor filling, few stitches are used to seal the gum tissue, and the bone gets healed around the end of the root over some time. Depending on the individual case of the patients, the tooth can be treated endodontically (cleaning and widening of the tooth canal, and filling) before surgery or during the surgery.

Will The Apicoectomy Procedure Hurt?

Local anesthetics make the procedure much comfortable for the patients. Of course, you may feel little discomfort to some extent or experience slight swelling while the incision heals. This issue is typical for any surgical procedure you go through. To alleviate your discomfort, your endodontist will recommend appropriate pain medication. Your dentist will give you specific postoperative instructions to follow. If you have further questions after the procedure, or if you have pain that does not respond to medication, call your dentist.

Time Required For Recovery After Apicoectomy Procedure

Your dentist suggests endodontic surgery because he or she believes it is the best option for saving your natural tooth. Before the surgery starts, he will discuss your chances for success so that you can make an informed decision. Many patients can get back to regular activities the next day. You may feel discomfort and swelling as you recover. Make sure to follow postoperative instructions given by your dentist – including diet and brushing advice. Call the dentist as soon as possible if your pain doesn’t respond to medication or recovery instructions.

To cater to your dental requirements, it is very much essential to choose a dental professional who has apt training, proper skills, and enough experience to assess your situation and custom design a personalized treatment plan applicable for you. At Dr. Mohamed Ali’s office, San Francisco, he will thoroughly assess your mouth before recommending apicoectomy for you, considering your dental issues. If required, he might suggest some alternatives which are best suited for your needs. The billing experts will inspect your insurance benefits. They will offer you a complete treatment plan with all the necessary arrangements. Every major dental and medical PPO insurance plans are accepted, including Medicare. There is also an in-office Plan for Health for those who don’t have any insurance. Also, we have partnered with various financial institutions like The Lending Club, Care Credit, Healthcare Finance Solutions to make your treatment extremely affordable. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. So sit, relax, and get sparkling white teeth. Call us today to schedule your consultation. You can reach us at 415.391.7751.

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