Periapical Surgery West Loop Chicago
Periapical surgery becomes necessary when standard root canal surgery fails or issues directly surrounding the tooth’s root (the apex) need treatment. This specialized endodontic procedure removes infected tissue, corrects complications, and ultimately preserves a compromised tooth.
Periapical surgery encompasses several procedures, each tailored to address specific issues. These procedures are complex, from simple abscess drainage for immediate pain relief to more intricate procedures like apicoectomies, where the infected root tip is surgically removed.
PERIAPICAL SURGERY EXPLAINED
Periapical surgery, a specialized dental procedure performed by an endodontist, offers a lifeline to teeth that wouldn’t respond to traditional root canal therapy. However, dental surgery isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Here are the common types of periapical surgery that are performed by an endodontist.
Apicoectomy
Apicoectomy is the most common surgical procedure performed in this category. It addresses persistent tooth infections or complications that traditional root canal therapy couldn’t resolve. During an apicoectomy, one our endodontists at Cameo Dental Specialists makes incisions into the gum tissue to access the infected bone and root tip.
The infected tissue and a small portion of the root are then meticulously removed. The remaining root canal is thoroughly cleaned and sealed, followed by stitching the gum tissue closed.
Abscess Drainage
When a dental abscess, a pus-filled infection at the root tip, causes significant pain and swelling, immediate action is necessary. Abscess drainage is a relatively straightforward procedure.
The endodontist makes a small incision in the gum tissue to create an outlet for the pus, alleviating pressure and providing prompt pain relief. Antibiotics might follow drainage to clear the infection completely.
Corrective Surgery
Even the most skilled endodontists can encounter challenges during root canal procedures. Broken instruments or overextended fillings within the root canal can create complications. Corrective surgery provides a solution in these situations.
The endodontist surgically accesses the root canal and removes the broken instrument or excess filling material. The canal is then cleaned, disinfected, and sealed to prevent future problems.
Intentional Replantation
In rare cases, a tooth might be so severely infected or fractured that extraction seems inevitable. However, intentional replantation offers a glimmer of hope. This complex procedure involves surgically extracting the tooth, cleaning and disinfecting it outside the mouth, and replanting it back into its socket.
A splint is placed to stabilize the tooth while the bone and tissues heal. Intentional replantation is a last resort option and requires careful evaluation by your endodontist to determine suitability.
Hemisection or Root Amputation
Not all teeth have a single root. Hemisection or root amputation might be a viable option for multi-rooted teeth where only one root is infected or damaged beyond repair.
This procedure involves surgically dividing the tooth and removing the diseased root and a portion of the crown. The remaining healthy root and attached portion of the tooth are then preserved and restored with a crown.
While each endodontic surgery procedure has nuances, the main goal remains the same – i.e. to save a compromised tooth by directly addressing the problem at its root.
WHEN PERIAPICAL SURGERY IS RECOMMENDED
Periapical Surgery is recommended when root canal is not possible. Sometimes, the anatomy of a tooth presents challenges that traditional tooth root surgery can’t overcome. Narrow, curved, or blocked canals could hinder complete cleaning and disinfection.
Additionally, unusual variations in root anatomy, like calcified canals, could make accessing the infected area through routine procedures impossible. Periapical surgery provides an alternative approach, removing infection at its source, which lies beyond the root canal space.
Here are some other cases when periapical surgery is recommended.
Complications from Prior Treatment
Issues like perforations in the root or persistent infections despite a seemingly completed root canal might necessitate surgical intervention.
A perforation, or an accidental hole created in the tooth’s root, can act as a persistent source of contamination. Periapical surgery provides access so the perforation can be meticulously sealed from the outside, ensuring proper healing and minimizing the risk of reinfection.
Furthermore, broken teeth present a significant challenge to successful root canal treatment. It can block access to the remaining canal, making thorough cleaning and sealing impossible. Periapical surgery is recommended in such a situation. It often saves the remaining tooth, maintaining integrity of the underlying tooth structure.
Lingering Symptoms or Non-Healing Lesions
If you continue to experience pain, swelling, a small pimple-like bump on the gum, or a dark-colored lesion around the tooth after a root canal, periapical surgery could be the answer. These signs indicate that infection or inflammation persists around the tooth’s root.
Surgically removing the diseased tissue promotes healing and helps identify the underlying cause of the problem so that appropriate treatment can be initiated.
Contraindications for Periapical Surgery
Remember that periapical surgery isn’t always suitable. Some factors make it inadvisable to go for this type of surgery.
Extremely proximity to crucial structures like nerves may make surgical access too risky. If a tooth has extensive decay, cracks, or severe periodontal disease, extraction and replacement might be a better option.
Additionally, medical conditions that significantly compromise healing could make periapical surgery inadvisable. Patients with extreme dental anxiety or those who aren’t candidates for sedation are also not suited for surgical procedures.
Periapical surgery serves as a second chance for teeth that have faced setbacks. While not a substitute for initial root canal treatment, it offers a valuable tool for endodontists in West Loop, Chicago, to address persistent infections, complex anatomies, and complications of previous dental work.
When performed by a skilled specialist, periapical surgery can extend the lifespan of your natural teeth, preventing the need for extractions and more invasive restorative procedures.
SCHEDULE WITH YOUR DENTAL SPECIALIST IN WEST LOOP CHICAGO
Do you want to know more about periapical surgery in West Loop Chicago? Contact an experienced oral surgeon or endodontist at Cameo Dental Specialists. We will assess your unique situation and provide recommendations based on your requirements. You can schedule an appointment regarding periapical surgery today by dialing (872) 246-7525.