Endodontists work to help you keep your natural teeth. For many patients, root canals or endodontic retreatment suffice to save teeth. However, sometimes, the doctor needs to reach areas of the tooth not accessible in a root canal. In these cases, the endodontist opts to perform an apicoectomy.
For an apicoectomy Geneva IL, or in Orland Park IL, residents can trust us at Southwest Endodontics.
Usually, an endodontist can successfully treat infection in a tooth with a non-surgical root canal. Sometimes, however, a root canal does not always allow the doctor to completely remove all the infected pulp from the tooth. An apicoectomy is a surgical method your endodontist may use after a root canal to more completely clean out the infection or internal root canals of your tooth.
As with most endodontic procedures, apicoectomy serves as a last resort option to help save the tooth. If you choose not to have an apicoectomy, your only alternative will be extraction. Having your tooth pulled can lead to a long recovery and a large gap in your smile. Minimally invasive endodontic surgery can help you to avoid this discomfort.
The most common non-surgical endodontic procedure is a root canal, and apicoectomy ranks as the top type of surgery in this field. It may serve as an alternative to root canal treatment for those with complicated root canals or as a way to treat infected bone at the apex of the tooth.
During a typical root canal, the endodontist makes a small incision open the top of the tooth to reach the canals inside. Usually, this allows for full access to all the areas that require cleaning and sanitizing for a successful root canal. However, sometimes, the canals have structures that may make reaching them from the root end at the tip of the tooth easier. In these cases, the endodontist may choose to perform an apicoectomy.
Apicoectomy means cutting into the apex of the tooth, which is how the endodontist enters the root canals. The goal is to reach the area of the tooth under the gum line. They then make a small incision into this part of the tooth to reach the root canals from the end opposite where they would during a non-surgical root canal treatment.
The apicoectomy begins like many other endodontic procedures. First, the doctor needs to examine the inside of your tooth with 3D digital imaging. By seeing inside your tooth before making any incisions, your endodontist will plan the best way to access your tooth.
You will then have your mouth prepared for the apicoectomy with numbing anesthesia applied to your gums above the tooth. Next, once the anesthesia has your mouth numb, the endodontist will make an incision into the gum and bone at the infected tooth’s root. This allows them to remove any gum tissue or hard tissue that shows signs of inflammation and access the apex of the tooth.
The endodontist removes the apex of the tooth and clears the root canals if needed. They then add a filling to seal up the apex of the tooth and put stitches in your gum to reseal it.
The endodontist places a bone graft into the cut-out area of the bone. This material stimulates your body to heal the bone around the tooth more quickly than without the graft.
Complete healing of an apicoectomy takes many months but you will begin feeling back to normal in as little as a few days. Discomfort following surgery is normal. You may also have some swelling at the surgery site and redness. Follow all instructions from your endodontist regarding the care of the site and follow-up appointments.
During healing, take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to ease any discomfort you may have. If you still have pain after using over-the-counter medications, contact your endodontist at Southwest Endodontics.
So, you’re scheduled for an apicoectomy—what happens next? First up is your initial consultation. During this visit, we’ll chat about your dental history and what led to the decision for surgery. Your endodontist will likely take some detailed imaging to get a good look at what’s going on inside your tooth. This helps us plan the best approach for your specific case. We want you to feel informed and comfortable, so don’t hesitate to ask any questions that come to mind!
Once your appointment is set, there are a few things you can do to prepare. For starters, it’s a good idea to avoid certain medications, especially blood thinners, unless your doctor says otherwise. We recommend arranging for someone to drive you home after the procedure, as you might still be feeling a bit groggy from the anesthesia.
Also, consider stocking up on some soft foods for your recovery—think yogurt, smoothies, or mashed potatoes. It’s all about making sure you’re set up for a smooth healing process. Just remember, we’re here to help every step of the way, so if you have any concerns or questions before your appointment, don’t hesitate to reach out!
An apicoectomy might let you retain your natural tooth for a lot longer, which is one of its key advantages. This process gives the tooth a fresh lease on life by addressing any leftover concerns rather than extracting them. You may avoid dealing with the gap left by a lost tooth by taking care of your teeth and maintaining a natural bite and smile.
Keep in mind that timely treatment of infections is fundamental. Untreated infections may result in more severe issues, such as abscesses or even damage to the surrounding bone of the tooth. You can take proactive measures to avoid these risks by choosing to get an apicoectomy. Saving a single tooth is not the only goal; maintaining your general oral health and lowering the possibility of developing new dental problems that may require more involved procedures in the road are also important goals. This method promotes both your long-term oral health and your ability to maintain your tooth.
When it comes to saving a tooth, you might hear about two procedures: root canals and apicoectomies. While they both aim to tackle tooth infections, they’re quite different in how they work and when they’re used.
Let’s start with a root canal. This is usually the first step if there’s an infection in the pulp of your tooth. During the procedure, your endodontist will create an opening at the top of the tooth to access the inside. They’ll remove the infected pulp, clean everything out, and then seal it up. It’s a non-surgical procedure and often just takes one or two visits. This works well when the infection is straightforward and contained within the tooth.
Now, if a root canal doesn’t fully solve the problem—maybe the infection hangs around or the tooth has tricky root structures that are hard to reach—that’s where an apicoectomy comes in. This is a bit more involved. Your endodontist will make a small incision in your gum to get to the root tip, where they can clean out any infected tissue directly. This way, they can ensure that everything is properly treated.
So, when do you choose one over the other? If the infection is manageable and can be treated without surgery, a root canal is usually the way to go. It’s less invasive and has a quicker recovery time.
But if the infection keeps coming back or if your tooth has complex roots that a root canal can’t reach, then an apicoectomy is the better option.
After your apicoectomy, taking care of yourself is key to a smooth recovery. Here are some practical tips to help you feel your best:
You might experience some discomfort or swelling after the surgery, which is completely normal. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help manage any soreness.
For the first few days, it’s best to take it easy. Avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting, or vigorous exercise until you get the green light from your endodontist. Rest is essential for healing! Also, try to steer clear of smoking or alcohol, as these can interfere with your recovery.
Of course, make sure to follow any specific aftercare instructions your endodontist gives you, and don’t skip your follow-up appointments. These are important to ensure that everything is healing properly.
Endodontic surgery is best performed by a trained specialist. You need an endodontic expert to treat your tooth’s interiors through surgical and non-surgical methods. Contact us at Southwest Endodontics to schedule your visit.
An apicoectomy could save your tooth. We have two locations offering endodontic treatments, including an apicoectomy Orland Park IL, and Geneva IL. Let us help you to keep your teeth and your smile.
Southwest Endodontics provide specialized compassionate, pain-free endodontic care throughout Illinois. Including Orland Park, Homer Glen, Tinley Park, Palos Park, New Lenox, Frankfort, Geneva, Batavia, St. Charles, South Elgin, North Aurora, West Chicago and more.