An endodontist has one overarching aim when it comes to dental treatments: keep the natural tooth in place. This is because even though there are effective alternatives to real teeth, nothing works quite as well. This is the principle that guides our expert in endodontics in Los Angeles.
The first step our doctor will attempt is root canal therapy. This process goes from the top of the tooth and tries to remove and repair any damage that way. This is not considered surgery because no tissue is cut. This involves finding root canals that extend from the tooth into the supporting tissue. There are times, however, when the decay is either too deep or stubborn, or there is another root canal that is small and not found during the original procedure or in X-rays.
To figure out the source of continued dental problems, a dentist might suggest endodontic surgery. These processes involve cutting into the soft tissue at the base of the tooth to literally get at the root of the problem. The most common of these surgeries is called apicoectomy, or root-end resection. In it, the doctor will open the tissue, remove the infection below the base of the tooth, and then remove a small portion of the root itself. The bottom of the root is then capped with a filling to seal it, and a couple stitches or sutures are used to re-close the tissue.
There are other endodontic surgeries, too. For example, at times it might be necessary to split the tooth in half, or repair a root, or even remove a root altogether. There is even one that involves removing the entire tooth and doing work on it while it is out of the mouth, then replacing it.
As noted above, the aim of all endodontic work is to save the original tooth. If you are looking for an expert in endodontic surgery in Los Angeles, contact our office today.
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