Baton Rouge Dentist

What’s Next If I Had a Root Canal Fail?

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Man frowning and holding the side of his face; for Baton Rouge emergency dentistry from Dr. Ryan Perry.What’s next if I had a root canal fail? A toothache that has been bothering me for the past two months got so bad last weekend that I saw a nearby dentist for a same-day appointment. I did not want to return to my previous dentist because I didn’t like the customer service at the practice, and the hygienist is quirky. The toothache was in an upper left first molar tooth that my dentist did a root canal on two years ago. The dentist I saw most recently said she would need to refer me to an endodontist for a procedure called an apico? I have been a little slack about going to the dentist, and I haven’t seen one since I quit my last dentist, so maybe I could have avoided this. What is this apico procedure, and do I really need it? Thanks. Malachi

Malachi,

It’s good that you made a same-day appointment with a dentist. If you have a lingering toothache, you need treatment. Whether you need an apicoectomy depends on the X-ray results. You can get a second opinion from another dentist or an endodontist (root canal specialist). If you have problems with a root canal tooth, you will probably still need to see an endodontist.

What Is an Apicoectomy?

An apicoectomy is a minor surgical procedure that accesses the tooth root through an opening in the gum tissue and bone. An endodontist will remove the inflamed or infected tissue and remove the root tip. The endodontist will fit the root with a special material and seal it. Stitches will close the area and help it heal. According to the American Association of Endodontics, your jawbone will heal around the tooth root in a few months.

Why Do You Need an Apicoectomy?

If a dentist or endodontist cannot access a tooth infection near the root tip by opening the crown, they will recommend an apicoectomy. Sometimes after root canal treatment, infection in the tooth’s canals in the tooth can remain, particularly in areas that are difficult to reach. Then, you may need a second root canal or an apicoectomy.

You can get a second opinion from another dentist or an endodontist, a specialist who can provide the most accurate diagnosis and precise treatment.

 

Baton Rouge family dentist Dr. Ryan Perry sponsors this post. Please read about how he strives to provide his patients with the best care possible.

Dentist Said I Need an Apico Instead of Root Canal

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Our family was out of the country for three weeks. A toothache that has been bothering me for the past months got really bad, so I had to go to an emergency dentist. It’s a tooth that had a root canal 2 years ago. The emergency dentist said I need probably need to see an endodontist for a procedure called an Apico??? I have been a little slack about going to the dentist, and I haven’t seen one since I moved last year. What is this procedure, and do I really need it? – Greg from Armon, NY

Greg –

The procedure that the emergency dentist is referring to is an apicoectomy. When you receive a root canal treatment, a dentist cleans out the canals of a tooth root the very tip to remove the infection. A filler material is used in the empty space. An apicoectomy uses a different approach.

What Is an Apicoectomy?

An apicoectomy is a procedure that accesses the tooth root through an opening in the gum tissue instead of the crown of a tooth. A trained dentist or endodontist (root canal specialist) will take these steps:

  • Remove the inflamed or infected tissue and the root tip
  • Fill the root with a special material and seal the tooth
  • Use stitches to close the area and help it heal

In a few months, the jawbone will heal around the tooth root.

At times, infection in the canals in the tooth can remain, particularly in areas that are difficult to reach. Sometimes, a dentist or endodontist (root canal specialist) performs a second root canal. If a second root canal treatment fails or if it is impossible to complete it, an apicoectomy may be the preferred method.

You can receive a second opinion from another dentist who will examine your tooth and recommend treatment.

Dr. Ryan Perry, a Baton Rouge family dentist, sponsors this post.

Root canal emergency diagram of five procedure steps
Root canal therapy access a tooth from the crown, but an apicoectomy is performed at the root tip