Your guide to Endodontic Surgery
You are probably reading this pamphlet because you believes endodontic surgery may help save your tooth.
To understand endodontic surgery, it helps first to know something about the nonsurgical endodontic procedure, or "root canal." A root canal is necessary when the soft inner tissue, or "pulp," of the tooth becomes inflamed or infected. This may happen as a result of deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth or a blow to the tooth.
Endodontic treatment removes the damaged pulp. Then the tooth's canals are cleaned and filled to help preserve the tooth. In a few cases, however, nonsurgical endodontic treatment alone cannot save the tooth. In such a case, your Apex Dental’s Dentist or our endodontist may recommend surgery.
Why would I need endodontic surgery?
Surgery can help save your tooth in a variety of situations.
• Surgery may be used in diagnosis. If you have persistent symptoms but no problems appear on your x-ray, your tooth may have a tiny fracture or canal that could not be detected during nonsurgical treatment. In such a case, surgery allows your endodontist to examine the root of your 100th, find the problem and provide treatment.
• Sometimes calcium deposits make a canal too narrow for the cleaning and shaping instruments used in nonsurgical root canal treatment to reach the end of the root. If your tooth has this "calcification," your endodontist may perform endodontic surgery to clean and seal the remainder of the canal.
• Usually, a tooth that has undergone a root canal can last the rest of your life and never need further endodontic treatment. However, in a few cases, a tooth may fail to heal. The tooth may become painful or diseased months or even years after successful treatment. If this is true for you, surgery may help save your tooth.
Surgery may also be performed to treat damaged root surfaces or surrounding bone
Will the procedure hurt?
Local anesthetics make the procedure comfortable. Of course, you may feel some discomfort or experience slight swelling while the incision heals. This is normal for any surgical procedure. Our endodontist will recommend appropriate pain medication to alleviate your discomfort.
Our endodontist will give you specific postoperative instructions to follow If you have questions after your procedure, or if you have pain that does not respond to medication, call our endodontist.
When can I return to my normal activities?
Most patients return to work or other routine activities the next day. Our dentist/endodontist will be happy to discuss your expected recovery time.
Does insurance cover endodontic surgery?
Each insurance plan is different. Check with our insurance coordinator and office manager prior to treatment.
How do I know the surgery will be successful?
Our dentist or endodontist is suggesting endodontic surgery because he or she believes it is the best option for you. Of course, there are no guarantees any surgical procedure. Our endodontist will discuss your chances for success so that you can make an informed decision. Our record and experience indicates that surgery done by us are very successful because we are trained/experienced in endodontic surgery and we used latest technology.
What are the alternatives to endodontic surgery?
Often, the only alternative to surgery is extraction of the tooth. The extracted tooth must then be replaced with an implant, bridge or removable partial denture to restore chewing function and to prevent adjacent teeth from shifting. Because these alternatives require surgery or dental procedures on adjacent healthy teeth, endodontic surgery is usually the most cost-effective option for maintaining your oral health.
No matter how effective modern tooth replacements are—and they can be very effective—nothing is as good as a natural tooth. You've already made an investment in saving your tooth. The pay-off for choosing endodontic surgery could be a healthy, functioning, natural tooth for the rest of your life.
Book your consultant appointment today with us - https://www.apexdentalpa.com/book-appointment