At times, x-ray does not show hidden canals, tiny fracture, or infection in the tooth, gums. In such cases, endodontic surgery is recommended for diagnosing and treating severe dental health conditions. Put simply; the surgery helps in getting rid of causative agents responsible for causing periradicular and radicular disease.
When does the endodontic surgery come into the picture?
The tooth consists of three layers, the enamel (chewing surface), the dentin, and the innermost layer consisting of pulp that contains blood vessels as well as nerves.
The decay or infection starts destroying the enamel and reaches the innermost layer within a few months if left untreated. Patients start experiencing extreme pain when the infection reaches the pulp. The first treatment option for such patients is a non-surgical root canal. During the procedure, your dentist would remove the decay as well as damaged nerve, and fill the chamber with sealant material (gutta percha) before closing the tooth with a temporary crown. In some cases, root canal treatment alone may not be sufficient for saving the infected tooth. The dental surgeon may recommend an endodontic surgery to handle such infections, including dental abscess.
What’s a dental abscess? How can endodontic surgery help in treating this condition?
Put simply; dental abscess is a condition that results in pus formed due to a bacterial infection. It can happen in parts of the teeth, gums, or even in the bone below the gum. The infection in the gum is a periodontal abscess, while the one that affects the end part of the tooth is known as a periapical abscess.
Intense throbbing pain in the tooth along with ear, jaw, and the side of the neck are the primary symptoms. Another list of symptoms includes discoloration of the tooth, swelling in the face, swollen gums, and unpleasant or bad breath. Severe infection may also result in a high fever, and difficulty in swallowing. The infection does not get treated on its own and can even spread in other areas of the body, resulting in illness. The condition may not result in pain for some patients, so the pus should never be ignored. It is advisable to get the symptoms examined by a dentist immediately.
Poor oral hygiene, accumulation of plaque, consuming sugary drinks, dental injury, and failed dental surgeries can result in a buildup of bacteria in the internal areas of the teeth and gums. Patients who have diabetes and other underlying health conditions, and individuals undergoing chemotherapy are prone to dental abscess. For most patients, root canal, endodontic surgery (to drain the abscess), and tooth extraction are the treatment options.
Signs and symptoms that indicate the need for endodontic surgery
Case studies have pointed out that at times, patients show all the signs of the infection in the tooth root. However, their x-ray does not provide any clarity concerning the areas under disease. Endodontic surgery (diagnostic) can help surgeons in examining the dental root and gum in such cases.
- Endodontic surgery becomes necessary during the root canal if the tooth’s canal has become too narrow due to calcium deposits.
- Some patients ignore the problem for too long; thus, the infection reaches root surfaces, and even the surrounding bone suffers damage. An endodontic surgical procedure is the only option for removing the damaged tissues and controlling the decay from spreading towards the jawbone.
- Surgery is also recommended in cases that involve infected or unsuccessful root canal. If the tooth does not heal or the condition of the gum keeps on worsening after a root canal, endodontic surgery is the only option.
- Seeking professional help also becomes crucial in case if the patient notices swelling or pus-like liquid around the infected tooth’s gum. These are the signs suggesting the infection has already reached the gums. The dental health condition is also referred to as dental abscess, and endodontic surgery is the best treatment option.
- Minor discoloration can happen due to the consumption of tea, coffee, wine, and tobacco products. However, sudden drastic discoloration indicates problems in the concerned tooth as well as gums, and possibly, the jawbone. For such patients, dentists directly recommend endodontic surgery instead of the non-surgical root canal due to the severity of the infection.
- A pimple or bump around the infected tooth, including gums, also indicates more significant trouble. The blister can cause pain and needs professional treatment. It should not be treated with painkiller gels. In most cases, the condition needs endodontic surgery.
- Continuous pain in teeth after undergoing a professional cleaning procedure may also indicate the possibility of more significant trouble lurking near the gumline. It means the dental abscess has possibly reached the bottom of the tooth root.
Thanks to advanced technology, surgeons can complete the surgery within 30 to 35 minutes. The patient does not need to worry about pain or discomfort. If you need a dental clinic that offers dental infection treatments, including endodontic treatment in Roswell (GA), you should call TruCare Dentistry for consultation.