Generally, a root canal is all that is needed to save teeth with an injured pulp from extraction. Sometimes, non surgical root canal therapy will not be sufficient to heal the tooth and one of our doctors will recommend surgery. Endodontic surgery can be utilized to locate fractures or hidden canals that do not appear on x-rays but still manifest tooth pain. 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.
An incision is made in the gum tissue to expose the bone and surrounding inflamed tissue. The damaged tissue is removed along with the tip of the root. A root-end filling is placed to prevent reinfection of the root. The gum tissue is then sutured back into place. The bone naturally heals around the root over a period of months restoring full function.
This service varies by location.