Endodontics – Apicoectomy

An apicoectomy is performed after an unsuccessful root canal. When an infection will not go away or returns after a root canal has been performed, this procedure is usually necessary. Dr. Eric M Meyer DDS is known for his comprehensive, but gentle approach to dentistry. In most cases, he may suggest a second root canal before an apicoectomy since it is a simpler, less invasive procedure.

An apicoectomy may be needed when an infection develops or persists after root canal treatment or retreatment. In an apicoectomy, the root tip, or apex, is removed along with the infected tissue. A filling is then placed to seal the end of the root. Most apicoectomies take between 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the location of the tooth and the complexity of the root structure. Procedures on front teeth are generally the shortest. Those on lower molars generally take the longest. Before the procedure, Dr. Meyer will provide you with a consultation to see what action best fits your needs.

If you have questions or concerns regarding endodontic treatment, please give us a call. To learn more about the services provided at the practice, visit www.fullertondental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, in Fullerton CA, call 714-879-7943.

Apicoectomy

The doctors at Fullerton Dental perform many root canals to save and repair teeth that are badly damaged or infected.  During a root canal, we remove any inflamed or infected tissue, and thoroughly clean the root canal system.  In most root canal cases, the tooth heals and doesn’t require further treatment. When an infection won’t go away or the canals become re-infected, our doctors can perform an apicoectomy.

An apicoectomy is performed to remove damaged tissue and seal a tooth’s root from any further infections.  The procedure involves a small incision in the gums, followed by removal of any infected tissue and finally the end of the root tip itself.  A root-end filling is placed there to act as a seal, preventing reinfection. The gum is sutured, and most patients only feel slight discomfort or swelling during healing.  If you have a tooth infection lingering after a root canal gone wrong, please contact us to discuss your treatment options.

To learn more about the apicoectomy procedure and all the services provided at the practice, visit www.fullertondental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, in Fullerton CA, call 714-879-7943.

How an Apicoectomy Saves a Tooth

When root canals fail to completely clear up a tooth infection, it means the infection is very deep. To clear up the infection for good, Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS can perform an apicoectomy here in our Fullerton, CA office. An apicoectomy is a procedure to clean out a root canal from the tip of the root.

An apicoectomy may be necessary to save a tooth if one or more root canal procedures failed to keep the infection away. An apicoectomy is a surgical procedure that cleans out the infection from the other side of the tooth, directly through the tooth’s root. First, Dr. Meyer will make incisions in the gums to reveal the root’s tip. Sometimes bone tissue will need to be removed to access the root, so in that case, bone tissue removal will be the next step. Upon access to the root, any infected tissue surrounding the root will be removed. The last few millimeters of the root will also be removed so the root canal can then be cleaned out and sealed again. The bone and gum tissues are put back in place and the gums are stitched together to heal.

When root canals fail, an apicoectomy is the next step to make sure the patient does not lose the tooth. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, call our Fullerton, CA office at (714) 879-7943 or visit our website, www.fullertondental.com. 

Apicoectomy

If root canal therapy is unsuccessful and your infection either returns or persists after the procedure, it is often because of a problem near the apex of the root, making an apicoectomy necessary to save your tooth from extraction, and Dr. Eric Meyer has the skill and experience to help you in Fullerton, CA.

An apicoectomy removes the tip or apex of the root of your tooth and replaces it with a filling. This is not to be confused with a root resection, which is when an entire root is removed, not just the tip. Before we recommend an apicoectomy, a second root canal is usually considered because it is a simpler and less-invasive procedure. Advances in technology allow the dentist to detect whether one of the tooth’s other canals is the source of the infection. If this is the case, a second root canal is carried out.

However, if an apicoectomy is necessary, a local anesthetic will be used to numb the area. The local anesthetic that is used contains twice as much epinephrine as the anesthetic for a filling. This ensures that your blood vessels are reduced to reduce bleeding and allow your dentist to accurately see the root. Then the dentist will make an incision in your gum to expose the root of the infected tooth. About 3 to 4 millimeters of the canal are cleaned of inflamed tissue and then the area is healed. An X-ray is usually taken before the gums are sutured to give Dr. Meyer a better look at the area.

If your tooth pain persists or comes back after root canal therapy, come to our office. Call 714.879.7943 to schedule an appointment. For more information, visit www.fullertondental.com.