Endodontic Surgery

Endodontic therapy, also known as a root canal, is a relatively painless treatment which aims at clearing infection as well as protecting the tooth from subsequent infections.

When a tooth is cracked or has a deep cavity, bacteria can enter the pulp tissue and germs can cause infection. If left untreated, an abscess may form. If the infected tissue is not removed, pain and swelling can result.

This not only puts your jawbones at risk for injury, but it is also detrimental to your overall health. Without the proper treatment, your tooth may have to be removed.

Teeth that require endodontic therapy are not always painful. However, signs you may need a root canal include:

• Severe toothache

• Pain upon chewing or application of pressure

• Prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold

• Dark discoloration of the tooth

• Swelling and tenderness in the nearby gums

What happens during endodontic therapy?

Root canal treatment involves one to three visits during which your endodontist removes the affected tissue. After the tissue is removed, the interior of the tooth will be cleaned and sealed.

Finally, the tooth is filled with a temporary restoration.   You will need to make an appointment with your General Dentist to have the tooth permanently restored.   If your tooth had extensive decay, your doctor may suggest placing a crown to strengthen and protect the tooth from breakage. As long as you continue to care for your teeth and gums with regular brushing, flossing, and checkups, your restored tooth can last a lifetime.

Most teeth can be saved by endodontic therapy. However, tooth extraction may be necessary if:

• Roots are severely fractured

• The tooth does not have adequate bone support

• The tooth cannot be restored

• Root canals are not accessible

Endodontic therapy is intended to help save your tooth from extraction. Missing teeth can make you self-conscious, affect your ability to bite and chew, cause other healthy teeth to shift, and have a negative impact on your overall health. By choosing to receive endodontic therapy, you are choosing to keep your smile healthy and beautiful for years to come. Click here to learn more about root canals.

Most people are familiar with root canals, but there’s another important dental procedure that’s not as well known — an apicoectomy. In some cases, a root canal in Mountain View may not be enough to save your natural tooth. Before resorting to having your tooth pulled, your dentist may recommend getting an apicoectomy as a last-ditch effort to save your tooth. 

Read on to learn more about the apicoectomy procedure, when you might need one, and where you can find the best endodontist in Mountain View to perform this procedure. 

What Is an Apicoectomy?

An apicoectomy is a highly successful surgical procedure that involves removing the tip of a tooth's root and the surrounding infected tissue. This procedure is typically done when a root canal treatment has failed to remove all of the infected tissue or if your tooth root is severely damaged and not healing well.

What Happens During an Apicoectomy?

During an apicoectomy, an endodontist will make a small incision in the gum tissue near the affected tooth to access the root. The tip of the root is then removed, along with any damaged tissue from around it. An endodontist in Mountain View will then clean and seal the root canal with a material that can prevent any further infection.

An apicoectomy is typically performed with local anesthesia and is considered a relatively minor surgical procedure. It is often the last resort for saving a tooth before pulling the tooth becomes necessary.

When You May Need an Apicoectomy

If you are experiencing persistent pain and swelling in your gums, it may be a sign that you have an infection in the root area of a tooth. Typically, a root canal is a first-line treatment for this, but if you’ve already had a root canal and your symptoms come back or persist, you may need an apicoectomy.

Other reasons for an apicoectomy include:

• Treat a fracture in the lower part of the tooth caused by injury such as facial trauma or biting down on something hard 

• Removing calcium buildup in the root canal 

• Removing a tooth root that’s developed a hole or dental abscess after a root canal 

It is important to note that not all cases of persistent tooth pain or swelling require an apicoectomy. Seeing an endodontist is the only way to know if this treatment is right for you.

What to Expect When You Get an Apicoectomy

If you think you may need an apicoectomy, you might be having some anxiety about the procedure. Knowing what to expect can help calm your nerves ahead of your appointment. Here are some things you can expect: 

• Before your procedure 

Before the apicoectomy, your endodontist will explain the details of how the procedure is done and answer any questions you may have. You will also be given instructions on how to prepare for the procedure — which may include avoiding certain foods and medications.

• During your procedure 

During your apicoectomy, your endodontist will make a small incision in your gum to expose the root of the affected tooth. Then the tip of the tooth root will be removed, along with any damaged tissue from a tooth infection. A small filling will be used to seal the end of the root canal before closing the incision. 

• After your procedure 

After your apicoectomy, you may experience some minor swelling and discomfort. Your endodontist will provide you with instructions on how to care for the affected area. This may include taking pain medication and avoiding certain foods until after you have healed.

Overall, apicoectomies is usually a simple procedure that takes around 30 to 60 minutes to complete. Recovery is usually easy, and most people return to their usual activities within 24 hours of the procedure — especially if microscope technology is used. 

As occasionally happens with any dental or medical procedure, a tooth may not heal as expected after initial endodontic therapy (root canal treatment) for a variety of reasons. If the infection did not heal properly, placement of the crown or other restoration was delayed, or new decay has formed, you may need endodontic retreatment in order to save your tooth.

Retreatment Procedure

First, Dr. Tayebaty will discuss your treatment options. If you choose retreatment, he will reopen your tooth to gain access to the root canal filling material. Removal of restoration and filling material allows access to the infected canals.

After removing the root canal filling, the endodontist can clean the canals and carefully examine the inside of your tooth using magnification and illumination, searching for any additional canals, possible fractures or unusual anatomy that requires treatment.

Your endodontist will clean the canals, seal them, and place a filling in the tooth. If the canals are unusually narrow or blocked, your endodontist may recommend endodontic surgery.

After Dr. Tayebaty completes retreatment, you will need to return to your dentist as soon as possible to have a new crown or other restoration placed on the tooth to protect and restore it to its full function.

While most traumatic dental injuries occur in children and teenagers, people of all ages can be affected, usually as a result of sports injuries, automobile accidents, or bad falls. If you've experienced a traumatic dental injury it is important to visit your endodontist in order to determine any necessary treatment. Any dental injury, even if apparently mild, requires examination by a dentist or an endodontist immediately. Sometimes, neighboring teeth suffer an additional, unnoticed injury that will only be detected by a thorough dental exam. Some examples of traumatic oral injuries are:

• Dislodged (Luxated) Teeth

• Knocked-Out (Avulsed) Teeth

• Root Fractures

• Root Resorption

• Injuries in Children