Endodontic Microsurgery
Mason City, IA
Endodontic Microsurgery provided by Our Expert Specialists
in Mason City, IA at Dental Specialists and Implant Clinic of Iowa
 You may not have heard the terms "endodontic" or "microsurgery before," but if you have a toothache that needs a procedure to relieve the pain and save the tooth, endodontic microsurgery may become your new best friend. Endodontic microsurgery differs from the traditional root canal procedure. Endodontic microsurgery may be perfect for your aching tooth.
Why Do I Need a Root Canal?
The most common reason you may need a root canal procedure is because you have an infected tooth that has to be treated. In fact, the word endodontic means the inside of your tooth. The soft middle of your tooth, called the pulp, is the area filled with tissue, nerves, and blood vessels. When it gets infected, it can make your tooth hurt terribly, not to mention your head, jaw, and surrounding tissue. There is just no pain quite like tooth pain because when your tooth hurts, it is difficult to eat or drink without causing more pain.
A tooth usually becomes infected due to a cavity. Cavities always start on the outside of your tooth when acids from your mouth bacteria begin to eat away at the tooth enamel, which is the hardest part of your tooth. Enamel is the strongest substance your body makes. However, even enamel is no match for acid, which gradually chips away at your tooth enamel.
The bacterial acid will continue to eat away at your enamel until it reaches the second layer of your tooth, which is called dentin. Your layer of dentin is also hard. At this layer, the tiny hole in your tooth is officially called a cavity. If our dentist finds it, you will get a filling to stop the bacterial acid and fix the tooth. The cavity will continue to grow if it is not fixed until it reaches the pulp and causes an infection. If the tooth is not repaired and the infection is not treated, your tooth will eventually die and fall out.
The Root Canal Process
In a traditional root canal, dentists make an incision in the top of your tooth to reach the tooth pulp. Then, they will remove the tooth pulp and the infection, treat the area with antibiotics, and fill the hole left in the pulp with composite material so that the tooth will not get re-infected. The final step in a root canal is for the dentist to place a dental crown over the tooth to protect it.
While root canals have been the go-to procedure to save infected teeth, there are some drawbacks to the procedure. It can be difficult for dentists to ensure proper treatment when accessing an infection from the top of the tooth rather than closer to the root of the tooth. Also, root canals can take a while to heal, which can be a problem for adults with busy schedules. Many dentists want to find alternatives to root canals that cause less post-procedure problems and a quicker healing time.
The Advancement of Endodontic Microsurgery
Endodontic microsurgery treats infected teeth differently than a traditional root canal does. Rather than beginning at the top of the tooth, this procedure instead targets the tooth root itself, where the bulk of the problems are. A dentist or an endodontist can use a specialized microscope to access the tooth root and then use special instruments to treat the area of the infection without needing to remove the entire tooth pulp. With this targeted surgery, you will only need a few sutures when the surgery is complete, rather than a newly-crowned tooth. Also, our dentist will be able to treat other issues that can arise from a tooth infection, such as making sure the entire series of tooth roots are healthy and that there is no infection in the bone surrounding the tooth.
Are There Advantages to Endodontic Microsurgery?
Endodontic microsurgery has several advantages. It is a minimally invasive procedure, which means that you will have less bleeding, swelling, and post-procedure discomfort than with a traditional root canal. If you have been dreading having a painful root canal procedure done, endodontic microsurgery may be perfect for you. Also, because our dentist uses a special microscope, they are able to see the entire root system. Many people think of a tooth root as being one or two branches of the tooth, but in reality, the tooth root system looks more like traditional plant roots, with many tiny shoots that can become infected. Microscopes allow dentists to be much more precise with the treatment.
Another major advantage of endodontic microsurgery is that the tissues inside the tooth are preserved rather than removed. This means your tooth structure stays intact and healthy. Over time, teeth that have had major root canal surgery may deteriorate and not match the color and shape of your other teeth. Because endodontic microsurgery is far less invasive, it is the better procedure to keep your teeth healthy and strong for life.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Endodontic Microsurgery?
There are adults who may need to try endodontic microsurgery. If you have previously had a root canal but continue to have problems with the tooth, it is possible you have an area of a tooth root that is still infected. Endodontic microsurgery may be a way for a dentist to target a more specific problem area of your tooth root.
Also, because endodontic microsurgery is far less invasive, many doctors of patients with chronic conditions who still need dental treatment, such as patients with heart disease or diabetes, may prefer this type of root canal procedure. There is less blood loss and sutures and less risk of post-surgical complications.
If you have had unsuccessful root canals in the past, you may also be a good candidate for endodontic microsurgery. This procedure specifically targets the root system your tooth relies on and treats the infection at its source.
What Should I Do Next?
Think you might be a good candidate for a root canal? Why not give Dental Specialists and Implant Clinic of Iowa a call at 641-243-1486? We can schedule you for a consultation with our dentist. Reach out to us today for an appointment. |
