Most people know that endodontists are experts when it comes to root canals, one of the most commonly performed endodontic procedures. But even though root canals save more than 15 million teeth every year, that’s just part of what an endodontist does.
At Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC, our team of skilled endodontist specialists performs an array of procedures aimed at saving teeth and improving oral health, helping patients at our New York City practice enjoy years of beautiful smiles. Here’s a quick overview of four endodontic surgeries that could help you preserve your teeth and your smile.
Root canals were designed to save teeth that are badly damaged by decay and infection. But even though these procedures have a high rate of success, a few patients may find they’re left with painful symptoms even after their root canal treatment. That’s when a retreatment can help.
There are several reasons why you might have pain following a root canal:
During a root canal retreatment, your endodontist removes the root canal filling and reexamines the canal, looking for new decay or untreated areas of the canals. Then, they carefully clean the canal and apply a new filling, making sure to treat the issue that’s causing your painful symptoms.
Many retreatments aren’t really surgeries, because they can be performed using the same “entry point” as your original root canal. However, if your oral anatomy makes your canals difficult to access or if you have infection or other issues affecting the root or root pocket, your provider might decide to use an incision to ensure the entire area can be accessed and treated.
In most deeply infected teeth, the infection is contained within the tooth’s interior canals. But sometimes, the tip of the tooth root (the apex) develops an infection. That’s when your endodontist may recommend an apicoectomy.
Apicoectomy is a special surgery designed specifically to treat the tip of the tooth’s root and the tissue surrounding it. The endodontist makes a small incision in your gum to expose the tooth root, then uses special techniques to remove infected and diseased tissue.
After removing the tip of the root, the endodontist seals the root before closing the incision. Over time, your jaw bone will form around the root end, providing an additional “seal” to protect the tooth.
Lots of issues can cause or contribute to dental trauma. Many traumas happen when you fall or when you’re hit in the face, either by a moving object like a ball, or from an impact against an object like a car steering wheel.
Dental trauma treatment focuses on repairing the tooth and the structures surrounding it. For instance, if your tooth is knocked out or if the tooth root is cracked, our team can perform specific procedures aimed at replanting the tooth or “fixing” the cracked root. Some procedures involve removing the tooth, repairing it, and then replanting it in its socket.
An abscess is a deep infection that typically forms a pocket of pus and other debris. If you have an abscess, you almost certainly have a significant amount of pain, and you might also have a sour taste in your mouth or persistently bad breath.
While some infections can be successfully treated with antibiotics, abscess treatment usually involves surgery to remove the infected tissue, remove dead material, and restore the tooth and the area around it.
Our team uses advanced techniques to eliminate the infection and, ideally, preserve the tooth. We may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent the abscess from causing infection elsewhere in your body.
Seeing an endodontist can be a little nerve-racking — let’s face it, no one really loves having a dental procedure. Our team understands the concerns patients have and the anxiety they may feel. That’s why we offer sedation and anesthesia to help every patient stay relaxed and comfortable, along with aftercare aimed at speeding healing and keeping discomfort at bay.
To learn more about the endodontic treatments our team provides, call 929-229-0255 or book an appointment online at Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC today.
