Endodontic Microsurgery
Have you experienced a root canal? Just hearing the name alone is enough to send you running from the dentist chair, but almost everyone has to have one sooner or later. If you've had a root canal and develop an infection afterwards you will require what is called endodontic microsurgery.
When you undergo a root canal, inflamed, infected tissue is removed and the canals are cleaned. But sometimes, not always, after you've had a root canal infected debris hides out in the small branches off the main canal preventing the healing process by causing an infection. For endodontic microsurgery, the root tip is removed as well as the infected tissue. This procedure is done under an operating microscope.
If this procedure is require talk to your dentist about referring you to an endodontist. Your endodontist will take X-rays; give you an antimicrobial mouth rinse, anti-inflammatory medication and/or antibiotics before your surgery.
You will be given a local anesthetic called epinephrine the dosage is twice as much as the anesthetics used when you get a filling. The reason for the extra epinephrine is to reduce bleeding near the surgical site by constricting your blood vessels that your surgeon can see the root.
Your surgeon will then cut and lift the gum away from the tooth for easy access to the root. The infected tissue will then be removed along with the remaining root tip. A dye will be used that highlights cracks and fractures in the tooth. The procedure will be stopped if it is discovered that the tooth is cracked or fractured, it will need to be extracted.
To complete the endodontic microsurgery the tooth canal is cleaned and sealed. The cleaning takes place under a microscope using ultrasonic instruments. Because the light and magnification help your surgeon to see the tooth canal better this increases the chance of success. Before suturing the tissue back in place, your endodontist will need to take an X-ray of the area.
Depending on the location of the tooth, the complexity of the root structure, the endodontic microsurgeries usually take between 30 to 90 minutes. If it's one of your front teeth that requires surgery it will almost always take less time with the lower molars taking the longest.
Before leaving your endodontist's office you will be instructed on what you can eat and drink and any medications that you need to take. You will be required to rest for the first 10 to 12 hours and to ice the area where the procedure was done. You may experience some bruising and swelling, with the swelling increasing the second day after your surgery. If you are experiencing pain it can be controlled with an ibuprofen or prescription medication.
You shouldn't smoke or eat hard crunchy food, brush the area that you had the surgery on or rinse vigorously so that you are able to heal. And though it is going to be tempting, don't lift your lip to examine the area, because this can disrupt blood-clot formation and loosen the sutures.
Because of the trauma of the surgery you may experience some numbness for days or even weeks. This is not indicative of nerve damage, but be sure to tell your dentist about any numbness you experience.
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