An infected tooth could benefit from a root canal, which saves the tooth and keeps the smile whole. But in some cases, the infection could require more than just a traditional root canal. In today’s blog, your El Paso, TX, endodontist talks about root canal surgery!
The Impact of an Infected Tooth
When a tooth becomes infected, this means that harmful oral bacteria have made contact with the inner pulp, the nerve center of your teeth. This could be due to factors like tooth decay or even an injury to the tooth. Without treatment, you risk serious pain and the loss of your tooth. Typically, the infection is located in the center of the tooth and we can offer a solution with a root canal. Essentially, we will open the tooth and remove the tissues from within, replacing them with a special restorative filling material. We then cap the tooth with a custom and lifelike crown. But! If the infection is located at the tip of a root, we may need to conduct a root canal surgery, or apicoectomy.
Planning Your Root-End Resection
Also referred to as a root-end resection, this procedure is carefully planned by our team. We will take detailed digital images of your smile to pinpoint the position and severity of the infection. Our team will also take measures to ensure your comfort during the procedure. For example, we can administer a local anesthetic to the area of the gums where the procedure is taking place. We also have sedation options to help even nervous patients or those with special needs enter a deep state of calm and relaxation, with little to no memory of the procedure at all! We want to ensure you enjoy a positive treatment experience in our office.
The Apicoectomy
Once we have planned the procedure in detail and sedated you, we will open the gums where the tip of the root resides. Our team will then remove the end of the root so we can access and remove the infected tissues. We then add a mediate filling material to the area and seal the tip of the root, suturing the area closed. Our team will provide detailed aftercare instructions to ensure a fast and proper healing period. We want you to return to your normal routine with a comfortable and healthy smile, and to avoid worsening pain or tooth loss.
If you have any questions, then contact our team today!
Do You Have Questions About Root Canal Surgery?
Our team is ready to help take on your infected tooth and provide relief. To schedule an appointment for an apicoectomy and more with Omni Endo in El Paso, TX, please call 915.990.3636.