When a tooth is fractured, or an infection forms deep in the root canals of a tooth, you may need a root-end resection. Also known as an apicectomy, this surgery can target this area and protect your smile from discomfort and tooth loss. In today’s blog, your Omni Endodontics team in El Paso, TX, talks about oral surgery to save a tooth!
The Reasons a Traditional Root Canal Isn’t Enough
When you have a dental infection, we will likely use a root canal to open the tooth and gently remove the tissue from within to stop the infection and protect the tooth from bring lost. We then cap it with a crown after adding a special restorative filling material. But what if the infection occurs in the very tip of the root canal? In these situations, traditional root canal therapy isn’t possible. Instead, we may stop the discomfort and protect the tooth with an apicoectomy, also known as a root-end resection. Remember, warning signs of an infection in a tooth often include painful aches and sensitivity, discomfort when you bite down or chew, swelling around the tooth, or a discharge from the tooth. Don’t ignore persistent pain in and around a tooth, let us know right away so we can prevent the spread of infection and save the tooth!
The Apicoectomy
Our team will start by employing advanced imaging technology, such as digital x-rays, to gain a detailed image of the infected portion of the tooth, so we can plan and implement treatment with precision. We will administer a local anesthesia to the area being treated, and will also offer sedation to keep you comfortable, so you enter a calm and relaxed state with little to no memory of the procedure. We then open the gum tissues around the end of the tooth’s root. We remove the very tip, or apex, and will place a filling material to seal the end of the canal. We then suture the area closed. In most cases, people can drive themselves home, but if the sedation takes time to wear off, have friends available to bring you home. We will provide detailed aftercare instructions and prescriptions for medications to help facilitate a comfortable and effective healing period.
Safeguarding Your Smile
To limit your risk of future infections, be sure you brush and floss daily, see your general dentist for checkups and cleanings every six months, and cut back on the sugar and starch in your diet. These factors help protect teeth from decay and more, so you can smile with confidence.
Learn More About Protecting Your Smile By Scheduling An Appointment
We want to offer care to address issues with the interior of your tooth, so you can enjoy a full and comfortable smile. You can schedule an appointment with us by calling 915.990.3636.
