How is a surgical root canal different to a traditional root canal therapy?
Because most problems requiring a traditional non-invasive root canal will cause you pain, you will likely have visited the dentist urgently, in time for us to perform the traditional tooth-saving root canal. The most common need for surgical root canal treatment, or endodontic surgery as it is otherwise known, is when infection persists after a traditional root canal procedure.
What does it involve?
Surgical root canal involves opening up the gum area to reveal the root and surrounding tissues. In this way, we can really inspect the root closely and locate any small fractures or hidden canals that weren’t detected on x-rays or during previous treatment. If there are fractures in the root, bacteria will be getting through to the surrounding tissues and causing infection, so we will need to repair these cracks.
Often the very end of the root is removed and small filling may be placed to seal it. We use a material called Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) to seal the root. Surgical root canal may also be needed to remove calcium deposits in root canals, or to treat damaged root surfaces or even the bone surrounding a damaged root. The gum is then carefully stitched back up and the area left to heal. After a few months, the bone around the end of the root will have completely healed. This surgery is performed in our clinic with a local anaesthetic.
How is a surgical root canal different to a traditional root canal therapy?
Because most problems requiring a traditional non-invasive root canal will cause you pain, you will likely have visited the dentist urgently, in time for us to perform the traditional tooth-saving root canal. The most common need for surgical root canal treatment, or endodontic surgery as it is otherwise known, is when infection persists after a traditional root canal procedure.
What does it involve?
Surgical root canal involves opening up the gum area to reveal the root and surrounding tissues. In this way, we can really inspect the root closely and locate any small fractures or hidden canals that weren’t detected on x-rays or during previous treatment. If there are fractures in the root, bacteria will be getting through to the surrounding tissues and causing infection, so we will need to repair these cracks.
Often the very end of the root is removed and small filling may be placed to seal it. We use a material called Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) to seal the root. Surgical root canal may also be needed to remove calcium deposits in root canals, or to treat damaged root surfaces or even the bone surrounding a damaged root. The gum is then carefully stitched back up and the area left to heal. After a few months, the bone around the end of the root will have completely healed. This surgery is performed in our clinic with a local anaesthetic.
