When a tooth is so infected or decayed that it is in danger of being lost, a root canal is performed. We remove the damaged pulp, then fill and seal the canal.
Most root canals are completed in a single visit. Occasionally there will be two appointments involved. We also like to follow up with your treatment for up to a year. These follow up visits are on us.
ROOT CANAL RETREATMENT
If you’ve had a root canal that was not effective, we can perform a retreatment. This involves re-opening your canals, sterilizing the area, and then refilling the canals. The majority of the time we are able to make a small access hole in the crown, that is repaired with a composite filling.
APICOECTOMY
Apical Surgery involves us making an incision on either side of the tooth in question. The gums are lifted to expose the root tip and infected bone. We remove the infected tissue, along with the very end of the root. The root tip is then sealed off. Occasionally a bone graft will be needed to fill in the area where the infected bone was removed. The gums are then laid back in place and sutured. Sutures are removed in one week.