Generally, root canal treatment is all that is needed to repair your injured tooth.  Occasionally, the root canal procedure will not be sufficient to completely eliminate the problem.  If the tooth is not healing we may suggest surgical treatment.  Endodontic surgery can be used to remove persistent infections, locate fractures or treat hidden canals that do not appear on x-rays but cause pain in the tooth.  Damaged root surfaces or the surrounding bone may also be treated with this procedure.  The most common surgery used to save damaged teeth is an apicoectomy or root-end resection.

During this procedure, the endodontist gently opens the gum tissue near the tooth to examine the surrounding bone and remove any infected or inflamed tissue. The tip of the root associated with the infection is then removed.

A small filling is placed at the root end to seal the root canal, and a few sutures may be used to help the gums heal properly. Over the next several months, the bone will gradually heal around the end of the root.