Why might I need Endodontic Surgery?
Generally, a root canal treatment is all that is needed to save teeth with an infected or injured pulp from requiring an extraction. These procedures are about 85% successful according to the dental literature. As this non-surgical procedure may not be sufficient to heal the tooth and your endodontist or general dentist may refer you to Dr. Noraian for surgical endodontic treatment. Endodontic surgery may be as diagnostic as it is therapeutic as it may be used to locate fractures or hidden canals that do not appear on x-rays when tooth becomes painful even after conventional root canal treatment. Root surfaces that have become damaged or surrounding bone that has become infected may also be treated with this procedure.
There are several surgical options that may assist you when a previously root canal treated tooth begins to fail including:
- Apicoectomy – which is a resection of the root tip of a single-rooted or multi-rooted tooth.
- Root Amputation – which includes separating the infected root from a multi-rooted tooth.
- Extraction with intentional re-implantation – which includes removing the tooth, placing a filling in the open root canal and re-implanting the tooth.
- Extraction with Ridge repair – which removes the tooth and repairs the jawbone for other restorative options like dental implants or removable appliances.
Dr. Noraian will review your options and provide you with recommendations that will help you accomplish your treatment objectives.