When a tooth develops a painful dental infection, our team can offer relief with a root canal. But if the infection is located near the tips of the root canals, you may need an alternative. A root canal surgery, also known as an apicoectomy, can provide relief and keep the smile whole. In today’s blog, My Dentist talks about helping smiles with root canal surgery in Londonderry, NH.
Infection in the Roots
With a typical situation, our team will numb the tooth to keep you cozy, and we may also suggest sedation to further ensure your comfort. We then open the tooth to remove the tissues from within. We clean the inside of your tooth and replace what we removed with a special restorative material known as gutta percha. The last step in the procedure is to cap the tooth with a crown. But! If the infection is not located in the interior of the tooth itself, but at the tips of the tooth roots, then completing treatment could be more difficult with the traditional routine. For better treatment, we may recommend the apicoectomy, also known as root canal surgery or a root-end resection.
The Root-End Resection
What makes this a more effective choice is that we will reach the root tip directly. We again numb your tooth and offer sedation, then we open the gums near the roots of the tooth. Once we reach the infected root, we can remove the tip so we can more easily extract the infected tissues. We then clean the area and add a special restorative material to cap the root. Finally, the area is closed and we will provide aftercare instructions to ensure the area heals quickly and you return to your normal routine.
Prevention
We are always ready to treat your infection with a root canal or apicoectomy, but we much prefer you avoid the onset of an infected tooth altogether. To help, be sure you see our team for a checkup and cleaning every six months, so we can monitor your smile and catch issues like tooth decay in the early stages, often before you experience uncomfortable symptoms. You can also brush and floss daily and limit how much sugar is in your diet, which fights harmful buildup and protects teeth from decay and infection. If you play sports, be sure you wear a mouthguard to prevent injury.
If you have any questions about saving the tooth with a root-end resection, then contact our team today to find out more and start your treatment journey. You deserve a healthy and comfortable smile!
Helping Your Smile with Root Canal Surgery
An apicoectomy can help address infected teeth, addressing danger located at the tips of the roots. Contact My Dentist in Londonderry, NH at (603) 965-3407 to speak with our team and schedule your next visit.
