What Is the Difference Between a Root Canal and an Apicoectomy?

Most people are familiar with root canal therapy but may have never heard of the term apicoectomy. Both endodontic procedures have one primary goal, to preserve damaged teeth and prevent the need for extraction. Here’s all you need to know about root canal treatments and apicoectomies and their roles in maintaining healthy smiles.

What Is Root Canal Therapy?

Root canal therapy is a procedure required to restore a tooth when the soft tissue inside the root canal, known as the pulp, becomes infected or inflamed. Tooth pulp damage can occur due to deep decay, large cavities, tooth fractures, trauma, or repeated dental procedures. If not treated, the infection can cause an abscess, leading to swelling of the face and neck, bone loss around the tooth roots, and potentially tooth loss. The infection may also spread to other areas of the body, causing a host of health complications. 

A root canal treatment involves removing the diseased pulp and placing a custom dental crown to restore the tooth’s health and integrity. The only alternative to root canal therapy is extraction. Even though there are excellent tooth replacement options, such as dental implants or bridges, our goal is always to maintain your natural teeth. Root canal therapy has a 96 percent success rate, and the treated tooth can last a lifetime with proper care!

Apicoectomy Overview

Apicoectomy, also known as root end surgery, is a procedure designed to restore and preserve a damaged tooth with infection or inflammation that persists after root canal therapy, specifically in the area around the end of the tooth. The microsurgical procedure involves removing the tip of the tooth’s root, known as the apex, and any infected or damaged tissues. Once the infection is gone, the bone in the area can begin to heal.

In the past, it was hard to ensure the success of root end surgery. The good news is that today’s diagnostic and surgical techniques are so much more advanced, dramatically increasing our surgical precision. As a result, the procedure’s success rates are higher than ever before!

What Should You Expect?

Hearing you need an endodontic procedure such as root canal therapy or an apicoectomy may leave you feeling anxious and fearful. Our team would like to reassure you that advances in technology, treatment techniques, and dental anesthetics now allow for much speedier and more gentle treatments. Moreover, our team offers sedation dentistry options to ensure you are comfortable and free of anxiety throughout any dental procedure!

Quality Endodontic Treatments Greensboro

Contact Dental Care of Greensboro to learn more about our endodontic treatments and how they restore healthy, functional smiles. Our team is committed to delivering outstanding, gentle care. Call us and schedule your appointment today!

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