A damaged, diseased, or severely decaying tooth can be treated and perhaps saved by using a root canal. The vast majority of root canal infections are able to be controlled with standard root canal treatment. However, an apicoectomy may be necessary to eradicate the infection and correct the underlying issue in those unusual instances in which the infection continues to manifest itself despite root canal treatment or re-treatment. A Tampa family dentist is important to be consulted.
Apicoectomy: what exactly is that?
Apicoectomy, also known as root-end surgery, is the surgical endodontic procedure that is performed the most frequently. Apico refers to the root’s apex or tip, while ectomy is the medical term for removal or excision.
An apicoectomy is a very small but highly sophisticated microsurgical surgery in which the diseased gum tissue that is connected to the root tip of a tooth and the very tip of the tooth’s root are both removed. After that, the apex is plugged with a filler to stop any microleakage that might occur.
About the apicoectomy procedure
After the root canal treatment is finished, the endodontist will administer a local anesthetic to the patient in order to numb the area where the surgery will take place. In order to reach the root tip, the gum must first be sliced and then lifted. Both the contaminated tissue and the root tip are removed during this procedure.
The root canal, which is 3–4 millimeters in diameter, is cleansed and then sealed with a biocompatible substance. The endodontist is going to employ sutures to reattach the tissue in its proper location. The entire process is carried out in a sterile setting, utilizing ultrasonic instrumentation and being viewed under a microscope.
Will the procedure hurt?
The endodontist will provide you with a local anesthetic so that you will not feel anything during the procedure. Patients who have undergone any type of surgical surgery should expect to feel some discomfort while recovering. Patients will be given the right pain drugs so that they might get some relief from their suffering.
How long does the treatment for an apicoectomy last?
One session is sufficient to complete the treatment. The procedure duration ranges from around 90 to 120 minutes, and it depends upon the position of the tooth and the degree of complexity of the roots.
What happens if the patient decides that they do not want to undergo surgery?
In the event that the patient is unwilling to undergo this surgical operation, the tooth will need to be pulled, and then an implant will need to be medically implanted in order to replace the lost tooth.