Endodontic surgery is a great option for a failing root canal, and may even improve the outcome of your initial root canal. The team at Martin Endodontics in Beverly Hills offers this specialty service and can discuss if surgery is a good fit for your needs during your consultation.

Generally, a root canal is all that is needed to save teeth with injured pulp. Occasionally, however, this non-surgical procedure will not be sufficient to heal the tooth, and your endodontist will recommend surgery. Endodontic surgery can be used to locate fractures or hidden canals that do not appear on x-rays but still manifest pain in the tooth, or to help expedite healing of a long-standing or very large infection. Damaged root surfaces or the surrounding bone may also be treated with this procedure. The most common surgery used to save damaged teeth is an apicoectomy or root-end resection.

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How Does an Apicoectomy Work?

An incision is made in the gum tissue to expose the bone and surrounding inflamed tissue. The damaged tissue is removed along with the end of the root tip. A root-end filling is placed to prevent reinfection of the root and the gum is sutured. The bone naturally heals around the root over a period of months restoring full function.
Following the procedure, there may be some discomfort or slight swelling while the incision heals. This is normal for any surgical procedure. To alleviate any discomfort, an appropriate pain medication will be recommended. 

For more information on endodontic surgery, please visit AAE.org.