An endodontist will mainly use endodontic surgery when non-surgical procedure are not enough or when the fracture is small enough that they are not visible on X-rays. In other cases, endodontic surgery may also be necessary to remove calcium deposits in root canals. While the tooth can seem fairly normal on the surface, there can be an infection or other health issue underneath that is causing more problems.

Various reasons for endodontic surgery

A few possible scenarios in which endodontic surgery is a necessary treatment option:

• Treating persistent symptoms that do not go away with regular dental procedures
• Treating a canal that calcium deposits make too narrow for traditional root canal tools
• Treating a tooth that already underwent a root canal but is now infected
• Treating serious damage to the root surfaces or surrounding bone

There are cases in which an individual has a small fracture or canal that a dentist cannot notice on the X-ray. With endodontic surgery, the endodontist will be able to examine the entire root of the tooth and treat the problem.

There is also a process known as calcification, in which calcium deposits form around the root and make the canal too narrow for a non-surgical root canal. In these cases, an endodontist will need to use surgery to clean the tooth and then re-seal it. Since each part of the tooth affects each other and the other components of the mouth, it is crucial to seek professional care.

In some patients who receive a non-surgical root canal from a general dentist, there is a chance that the root will not heal properly and cause an infection to form. When this happens, it is crucial to seek endodontic surgery from a professional endodontist. If you do not treat the tooth soon, you will feel intense pain that makes daily tasks nearly impossible. People may go months or years after a root canal without any problems and suddenly have the pain strike.

Cementum

Cementum is that bone-like tissue that forms the outer surface on the root of the tooth.

Dental Pulp

Dental pulp is the inner-most layer of the tooth with connective tissue that contains blood vessels and nerve tissue.

Dentin

Dentin is the inner layer of the tooth structure that is immediately under the enamel and surrounds the dental pulp.

Direct Pulp Cap

A direct pulp cap is a procedure in which a professional treats exposed pulp with a therapeutic material to help the tooth heal.

Enamel

The enamel is the hard calcified layer that covers the entire tooth and is subject to interaction with multiple substances.

Endodontist

An endodontist is a specialist who focuses on treating issues, diseases and conditions that affect the inner-most layer of the tooth, the dental pulp.

Pulpectomy

A pulpectomy is a procedure that involves the complete removal of pulp tissue from the root canal in a tooth.

Pulpitis

Pulpitis is another term to describe the inflammation of the dental pulp due to an injury or infection.

Pulpotomy

A pulpotomy is a procedure involving the removal of a portion of diseased or infected pulp in order to protect the healthy portions of the pulp and teeth still in the mouth.