Endodontics often focuses on providing conservative, nonsurgical treatments to help save a tooth. However, sometimes a nonsurgical root canal procedure cannot save your tooth. In these cases, surgical endodontics needs to perform. We’ll briefly look over what surgical endodontics is, what symptoms qualify for endodontic treatment, and what treatment options are there for a damaged tooth.
Surgical Endodontics: What is it, Symptoms and Treatment
Surgical endodontics is a type of surgery performed to save a tooth that could not be saved through root canal therapy. When a root canal is unable to save a tooth, it’s often due to factors such as:
- Calcium Deposits: Sometimes, calcium deposits can get in the way of performing a root canal treatment.
- Infection or Inflammation in Tooth’s Roots: Signs of inflammation or infection can interfere with a successful root canal treatment, especially if the infection runs all the way down to the jawbone.
- Better Diagnostic Tools: In cases where x-rays and scans cannot depict what’s going on with the tooth, surgery can be used as a diagnosis tool.
When these symptoms or scenarios occur, surgical endodontics attempts to help the patient by providing different surgical options. These options include:
- Apicoectomy: Apicoectomies work to resection the root ends to remove any inflamed or infected tissues within the tooth, including removing the very end of the tooth.
- Root Repair or Removal: Some surgeries can be used to repair or remove the roots entirely if they’re problematic for the patient.
- Intentional Replantation: As a serious surgery, this procedure removes the tooth, treats it for endodontic problems, and then replaces it back into the mouth.
Visit Raleigh Endodontics For Effective Surgical and Non-Surgical Solutions
At Raleigh Endodontics, Dr. Luke K Dalzell, DDS, and his team can provide effective endodontic services throughout the Raleigh, NC, area. For more information about his services and treatment office, call their office at (919) 866-1989 to learn more.
