Categories: Apicoectomy

When Root Canal Treatment Cannot Save Your Tooth

If you have an infected tooth or severe cavity, a root canal is usually done to repair the area. Unfortunately, though, this may not be helpful in all cases. Instead, an endodontist may need to perform an apicoectomy to help recover the tooth. At Omni Endodontics in El Paso, TX, we recommend performing this surgery to prevent the need for extraction. In today’s blog, we are here to tell you what to know before going through this treatment.

Root Canal Therapy Can Restore Smile

When you have a severe cavity, it may cause pain, sensitivity, and even a change in color to your tooth. If these symptoms occur, a filling may not be able to treat the problem. Instead, your dentist may recommend a root canal. With this treatment, the decayed pulp will be removed to help relieve your symptoms. The pulp contains nerves, blood vessels, and tissue that can be damaged by the cavity. In some cases, though, this treatment may not work if there is another problem that has not been detected. To remedy this, an apicoectomy may be necessary.

Examining The Structure Of Your Tooth

An apicoectomy is a more invasive procedure that allows your endodontist to take a closer look at the tooth’s structure. This may be done if an infection happens again after a root canal has been performed. Before the procedure, you will be numbed so that you can be comfortable throughout this procedure. You may want a friend or family member to drive you to and from this appointment. First, the gums will be opened up to show the bone below. If there is any infected gum tissue, it can be removed. Then, the apex of the root is removed. Your endodontist will give you specific aftercare instructions following this surgery. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact them.

When An Apicoectomy Is Necessary

As mentioned earlier, this may be performed if the area becomes reinfected. You may also need to have this done if you have persistent pain following a root canal. It is normal to have some slight discomfort following the restorative treatment, but if this continues after a few days or is more than mild pain, there may be cause for concern. Some people may wonder if the tooth can be removed instead. While this is an option that can be available to you, it is usually considered to be the last resort. Extracting your permanent teeth can cause further complications in the future, and you will need to have it replaced to maintain the integrity of your smile.