Endodontics (Endodontist) In Silver Spring & Germantown, MD
At R3 Dental Group, we are home to many dental professionals, including endodontists. Endodontists specialize in endodontic treatments, which are typically surgical treatments that can save the teeth from infection or other damage. Patients in the Silver Spring, Germantown, Bowie, and Bethesda areas of Maryland can trust R3 Dental Group for their endodontics needs.
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What Is Endodontic Surgery?
Endodontic surgery can preserve your tooth in various situations, potentially ensuring a healthy, natural tooth for life. While most root canal-treated teeth last lifelong without further intervention, some may not heal or might get infected later. If you face such issues, surgery can be a solution. If calcium deposits narrow a canal or if persistent symptoms show no X-ray issues, surgery lets the endodontist fully examine and treat the root. It can also address damaged root surfaces or adjacent bone.
Types Of Endodontic Surgery
Apicoectomy (Root-End Resection)
The most common endodontic surgery is the apicoectomy or root-end resection. If inflammation or infection lingers in the bone post-root canal, an apicoectomy may be needed. Here, the endodontist exposes the bone by opening the gum tissue, removing any problematic tissue, and also the root’s end. A filling might be added to seal the root canal’s end, followed by stitches to aid gum healing. Over months, the bone then heals around the root’s end.
Intentional Replantation
In certain cases, a procedure called intentional replantation may be performed. In this procedure, a tooth is extracted, treated with an endodontic procedure while it is out of the mouth, and then replaced in its socket.
Other surgeries endodontists might perform include dividing a tooth in half, repairing an injured root, or even removing one or more roots. Your endodontist will be happy to discuss the specific type of surgery your tooth requires.
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What Is The Alternative To Endodontic Surgery?
Often, the only alternative to surgery is extraction of the tooth. The extracted tooth must then be replaced with an implant, bridge, or removable partial denture to restore chewing function and prevent adjacent teeth from shifting. No matter how effective modern artificial tooth replacements are, nothing is as good as your natural tooth.
Whenever possible, it is best to save your natural tooth. Retreated teeth can function well for years, even for a lifetime. As occasionally happens with any dental or medical procedure, a tooth may not heal as expected after initial endodontic therapy (root canal treatment) for a variety of reasons. If the infection did not heal properly, placement of the crown or other restoration was delayed, or new decay has formed, you may need endodontic retreatment in order to save your tooth.
How Does The Retreatment Procedure Work?
- Your endodontist discusses treatment options with you.
- If retreatment is chosen, the tooth is reopened to access the root canal filling material.
- Restoration and filling materials are removed to access blocked canals.
- The endodontist cleans the canals and inspects the tooth’s interior using magnification and illumination for additional canals or unique anatomy.
- Canals are cleaned, sealed, and the tooth is filled.
- If canals are narrow or blocked, endodontic surgery might be recommended.
- After retreatment, visit your dentist promptly for a new crown or restoration to protect and fully restore the tooth’s function.
If you are in need of an endodontic treatment, contact us today to schedule an appointment. R3 Dental Group is home to endodontists and a number of other dental professionals, so we are able to provide a range of dental health services under one roof. Patients in Silver Spring, Germantown, and Washington, D.C. can find the care they need at R3 Dental Group.