The most common endodontic treatment, root canal therapy, is a non-surgical procedure. Endodontic apical root surgery, or apicoectomy, may be required in conjunction with root canal therapy or as a standalone procedure.
Endodontic surgery can be used to locate small fractures or hidden canals that was not accessible during traditional non-surgical endodontic therapy. Surgery may also be needed to remove calcium deposits in root canals, or to treat damaged root surfaces or the surrounding bone of the tooth. There are many surgical procedures that can be performed to save a tooth. Apicoectomy may be needed when inflammation or infection persists in the bony area around the end of your tooth after a root canal procedure.
This microsurgical procedure begins by first making you comfortable by applying local anesthesia before opening the gum tissue near the tooth to see the underlying bone and to remove any inflamed or infected tissue. The very end of the root is also removed. A small filling may be placed to seal the end of the root canal and a few stitches or sutures are placed to help the tissue heal. In the next few months, the bone will heal around the end of the root. Patients typically return to their normal activities in 1-3 days. Post-surgical discomfort is generally mild.
Resting at home is the best medicine. Some mild bleeding near the surgical area is considered normal. You may experience discomfort, swelling, or discoloration after surgery. Dr. Chung will prescribe an antibiotic and pain medications if necessary, Often, over-the-counter NSAIDs are sufficient to provide pain relief. Most people may resume normal activities the following day. We recommend waiting 1 week before returning to physical activities.
Some tips to aid in healing:
Within a few months, the tissues will completely heal.
Apicoectomy may be recommended to treat these issues, instead of extracting the affected tooth:
In most cases, endodontic surgery is the last option before considering extraction of a tooth to . If Dr. Chung can provide other options, she will. We welcome all questions in our office. We want you to understand your oral health and treatment options so that you feel confident about your treatment decision.
I’d rather eat dirt than have another root canal. That said, if one were necessary, I would go IMMEDIATELY to Dr. Chung, she was overflowing with competence and confidence, and was cordial and personable. All the ladies in the office treated us as if we were family. I’d go back there in a minute!
Root canals are never any fun of course, but Dr. Chung was truly amazing. She was so attentive, painless, and careful. But what impressed me most is that she clearly worked intently enough to get me through the process as fast as possible without compromising quality. The staff there is pretty amazing too. So if you have to get endo work done, this is the place for it!
Great office, staff and talented Dentists. Took care me so well and fast. Even had a menu of goodies to make me feel better to pick from during my procedure and after. Dr. Chung and Tiffany her assistant were the best.
I wish there were ten stars to give! What an incredible place! Fantastic facility with high-tech imaging equipment. I came in with a tooth that had already had two root canals. Dr. Chung was able to assess the situation and was extremely knowledgeable and kind. The staff was incredible, kind and so helpful. When you're in pain, kindness is currency. And they have that in spades. Don't go anywhere else.
I cannot think that one could have a better dental experience…except for not having to go (LOL!) than the one I had at Five Cities Endo! Dr. Chung was simply amazing in every way and the team of assistants equally great! They took a normally stressful situation (needing a root canal) and not only made it virtually pain free (during and after) but were so focused on making me as comfortable as possible that I’m actually writing a positive thumbs up review for dental work. 😀 To say that I highly recommend them is an understatement. Thank you Dr. Chung and the whole Five Cities Endo team!!
