Posted on 5/23/2022 by Southern Family Dental Care
If you have had a root canal treatment before and you are experiencing pain or swelling on the same tooth, the dentist might recommend a procedure called apicoectomy.
An apicoectomy is a minor dental procedure that is carried out in the case of a failed root canal treatment. It involves the removal of your tooth root's tip and the inflamed gum tissue. This procedure can be done on children and adults.
Why You Need an Apicoectomy
This procedure is used when there is no alternative apart from tooth extraction. It helps prevent shifting that is caused by tooth pulling. There are various reasons the dentist will recommend an apicoectomy as stated below. Swelling or pain after a root canal treatment, infection on the tooth that had a root canal procedure, to treat a tooth with multiple roots, to treat a fractured tooth, to remove a perforated root, treatment of bone loss and finding problems that cannot be captured on x-ray.
What to Expect During This Procedure
An x-ray is done to examine the state of your tooth root, bone and tissue. A local anesthesia is used to numb the area around the tooth. The gum is cut open near the tooth and pushed aside. The infected tissue is removed and a few millimeters of the tip of your root is cut. The root canal is filled after cleaning and sealed to prevent reinfection. Finally, your gum is stitched to help it heal and the jawbone also heals with time.
The swelling and discomfort disappears within a few days and you are able to resume daily activities. The dentist will prescribe pain relievers and medication to treat or prevent infection and take out stitches within seven days. For an apicoectomy procedure call us to book an appointment at our clinic.
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