A root canal is a common dental treatment that helps eliminate bacteria affecting a tooth. That can help protect the tooth from another infection and help avoid its extraction. Sometimes, you may require Apical Surgery Georgetown after a root canal treatment. According to the American Association of Endodontists, about 3% of cases of root canal therapy require apical surgery.
As one of the main types of endodontic surgery, apical surgery is also known as apicoectomy or root-end surgery. Here are the reasons your dental surgeon may recommend apical surgery.
- Eliminating root infection
Generally, your incisors, premolars, and canines will have one root. But your molars usually have two or three roots. The tooth root is essential for keeping your tooth firmly in the jawbone and also ensuring the jawbone is healthy.
The root canal contains the pulp, a living structure of your tooth. It contains cellular tissues, nerves, and blood vessels.
Root canal therapy can help eliminate the infection in the living part of your teeth. However, after a root canal treatment, an infection can re-occur or remain in that area of your tooth.
For instance, an infection can occur again, particularly if leakage occurs after an enamel breach. Tooth decay can lead to the leaking of a filling into the root canal, which irritates it. Apical surgery can eliminate the infection affecting the root tip of your natural tooth.
- Root tip damage
You will also likely need apical surgery if the root tip of your tooth is damaged. Root tip damage can occur due to a long-lasting infection. Also, it is possible the initial root canal therapy caused damage to the delicate tip of the tooth root. The root canal tip can be harmed if your dental surgeon does not apply the right skills and use unsafe treatment protocols.
Remember that your dentist will recommend apical surgery because there are no viable solutions besides removing the natural tooth.
Recovery from apical surgery
Your dentist will take about half an hour or one hour thirty minutes to perform root end surgery. After this type of endodontic surgical procedure, your dentist will provide tips you can follow to avoid infections or complications.
You should refrain from physically straining tasks or chores for a few weeks. Strenuous activities can trigger further irritation of the sick root tip. You must also eat soft or liquid foods that cannot irritate the affected tooth and its tip.
If pain is making you uncomfortable, take painkillers and avoid smoking. You can also aid the recovery process of the treated root tip by applying cold therapy near the affected tooth. Additionally, do not clean your gums and teeth until you no longer feel pain.
If apical surgery does not resolve the issue affecting the tip of your tooth’s root, your dentist may have to do an extraction. Extracting a tooth can prevent an infection that can spread to other teeth, causing a bigger dental problem. A dental implant or bridge can replace an extracted natural tooth.
Contact RR Dentistry today to schedule an appointment with a specialist in apical surgery and learn if your sick tooth can be saved.
