Root canal is a dental procedure that is specifically performed to remove the pain that is caused by an abscessed or infected tooth. However, it should be noted that in some cases, the said procedure is just not enough to fix the problem. This is where apical surgery comes in.
Introduced in the mid-1990s, apical surgery is an effective and safe procedure that involves strategically removing a small portion of the root tip, then sealing the root canal. And while it has been performed for a long time, many are still not familiar with the said procedure.
That said, if you want to familiarize yourself with apical surgery, then you came to the right place. This write-up aims to explain what the said surgery is all about. Read on.
Apical surgery: an overview
Understanding non-surgical endodontic treatment is helpful before understanding apical surgery. When the delicate inner tissue of the tooth becomes inflamed or infected, root canal therapy is required. Deep tooth decay, several dental treatments, or a violent impact to the tooth can all cause this. But occasionally, non-surgical endodontic therapy is insufficient to preserve the tooth. Your endodontist may advise surgery in this situation to help preserve your tooth.
To have an idea of a patient’s condition and have an idea if there are infected or inflamed tissues, the endodontist opens the gum tissue next to the tooth during this treatment. The root’s tip is likewise safely cut off. To help the tissue recover properly and quickly, a few stitches are inserted in the gum and a tiny filler may be used to seal the end of the root. The bone around the root’s tip recovers over several months.
Apical surgery: when it should be considered
Apical surgery can save a tooth and can help improve dental health in a wide array of situations. However, it should be noted that it’s not for everybody. Below are some of the factors that are considered prior to the said procedure.
- A diagnosis may include surgery. If you have ongoing problems, but the issue cannot be seen on x-rays, it’s possible that your tooth has a very small fracture or channel that was not seen during nonsurgical treatment. In this situation, surgery enables your endodontist to examine the tooth’s root, identify the issue, and administer treatment.
- A tooth that has undergone root canal procedure often lasts the remainder of your life and doesn’t require any more endodontic care. A tooth may, however, not always heal properly. After a successful procedure, the tooth may still become sore or infected for months or even years. If this applies to you, surgery might be able to keep your tooth.
- When calcium deposits are present, a canal may become too small for nonsurgical root canal therapy’s cleaning and shaping tools to fit all the way to the end of the root. Your endodontist may conduct endodontic surgery to clean and seal the remaining portion of the canal if your tooth has this calcification.
Summing up
Familiarizing yourself with apical surgery can help you decide if the mentioned procedure is right for you or otherwise. If you’re not sure about your decision, you can ask your dentist about it. He or she can give essential information that can help you think things through before taking action.