Rhode Island Endodontics provides apical or endodontic surgery in Warwick, RI. Call 401-337-9150 to learn more and schedule your appointment.
Sometimes, a simple root canal is not enough to relieve pain and restore a tooth's full function. Surgical treatment could be necessary when the infection inside the tooth has progressed to the tip of the root, deep below the gum line.
Call us today at 401-337-9150 to discover what our practice can do to relieve pain and potentially save your natural tooth.
What is Surgical Endodontics?
This field of endodontics involves using surgical techniques to treat infection and eliminate pain.
The most common surgical procedure in endodontics is an apicoectomy or apical surgery. Apical surgery sometimes becomes necessary if a tooth still hurts after a root canal.
The endodontist will use advanced technology to determine whether root canal retreatment or apical surgery will solve the problem. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) gives the endodontist a comprehensive view of the hard and soft tissues, identifying damage and pinpointing the issue.
The endodontist uses surgical techniques to access the deepest part of the root, treating the root and the tissue around it for infection.
Benefits of Surgical Endodontics
Surgical endodontics helps to keep patients' teeth and jawbones healthy by treating stubborn infections. Surgical endodontic treatment possesses many other benefits, including:
Eliminating Pain
The situation becomes painful when infection progresses into the root tips and surrounding tissue. Apical surgery removes the pain's source and enables the area around the tooth to heal.
Clearing Infection
Lingering infections can damage a patient's health. Apical surgery treats infections and lessens the chances that they will impact the patient in the future.
Saving Natural Teeth
An apicoectomy can save a natural tooth. Since it takes place at the tip of the root and does not interfere with the crown of the tooth, the patient can heal with the natural tooth in place. A dental implant or other restoration may not be necessary.
Procedures Offered
The primary surgical procedure that endodontists offer is apical surgery. Here, we explain the surgery:
Apical Surgery
Our practice offers apical surgery to combat infection in the root tip and nearby tissue. The procedure is also known as a root tip resection or apicoectomy.
During apical surgery, the endodontist makes an incision in the gum to expose the root. They clean the inflamed pulp from the root before removing the tip of the root canal and ensuring that the area is clear of infected pulp.
Next, the endodontist places a small filling and secures the area with sutures. The gum can then heal normally.
In more difficult situations, jaw damage may necessitate a bone graft to help the jaw heal and prevent further tooth loss.
Why Choose Rhode Island Endodontics?
Our skilled Board Certified endodontist, Dr. Usman Fazli, DMD, uses updated technology and expert surgical techniques to relieve your dental pain and maximize your oral health.
We maintain a comfortable, patient-friendly office where we always address your concerns. We respect your valuable time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Non-Surgical Endodontics
Here are our patients' common questions about surgical endodontics:
Endodontists perform apical surgery under local anesthesia. The procedure should be painless with anesthesia, though you will feel some pressure and vibration.
Your toothache should quickly improve. You can drive home and resume normal activities in one or two days.
Your gums should heal in two weeks. The bone surrounding the removed root tip will grow over six months.
If infection and inflamed tissue compromise your jawbone, the endodontist may need to clear the damaged area and place a bone graft to encourage it to regrow. This procedure helps to save the surrounding teeth and prevent future extractions.
Apical surgery is highly effective in most cases. However, if your tooth still hurts after the procedure, you may need a repeat apicoectomy or opt to have the tooth extracted.
You may experience discomfort and soreness at the surgical site. Your endodontist may prescribe pain medication. You may have some blood spotting, but you should not bleed heavily.
Call Rhode Island Endodontics Today
If you have a past root canal still causing pain or your dentist has told you that you may need endodontic surgery, call Rhode Island Endodontics at 401-337-9150. We will diagnose your problem using state-of-the-art technology and return your teeth to their full function.