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Summit, NJ 07901
Sometimes, a dental infection can spread into the roots of a tooth and beyond to the jawbone. To protect the tooth in question, we may recommend an apicoectomy. This is a form of endodontic microsurgery that involves the tips of the roots of the teeth. If you have noticed problems with your tooth even after a root canal treatment, reach out to Liv Endodontics today; our team can help determine whether an apicoectomy in Livingston might be necessary.
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Once your apicoectomy is complete, you may experience a small amount of discomfort and swelling. Ibuprofen and similar over-the-counter medications can help you manage the pain; antibiotics may also be prescribed to minimize the chances of infection. You should notice an improvement in your symptoms after a few days.
Your comfort is important to us, so we will always make sure your mouth has been properly numbed before we move forward with your apicoectomy. We’ll open the gums so that we can work with your tooth roots. The tip of the root will be taken off, and we’ll get rid of any infected tissue we find. A filling will be placed to seal the root. After that, all that’s left is to suture the gums in place so that they can heal properly.
Once your apicoectomy is complete, you may experience a small amount of discomfort and swelling. Ibuprofen and similar over-the-counter medications can help you manage the pain; antibiotics may also be prescribed to minimize the chances of infection. You should notice an improvement in your symptoms after a few days. If your discomfort seems to grow worse instead of fading away, something has gone wrong, and you should contact us right away so that we can figure out what the issue is.
Back in the 1920s, a dentist named Dr. Weston Price claimed that his research proved that it was better to extract the tooth than perform a root canal. There was just one problem: the study he conducted was poorly designed. In fact, this theory has been disproven numerous times over the last several decades for that very reason. Simply put, root canals do NOT make you sick.
Pain is just one symptom of a severely damaged or infected tooth. Dark discoloration on the tooth and bleeding gums are also warning signs that root canal treatment is needed. So, don’t assume that just because you aren’t in pain that everything is fine!
If you need a few days to figure out the financial side of your care, request PTO, and arrange for someone to drive you home from your appointment, that’s perfectly fine! However, you shouldn’t wait much longer than that. If you do, then the root of the problem will continue to worsen to the point where the tooth can no longer be saved, and your surrounding teeth and gums are harmed.
Before the procedure, we will thoroughly numb your mouth so you don’t feel any pain. Of course, this is only temporary, so some soreness once you return home and the numbing agent wears off is to be expected. The good news is that there are several easy ways you can prevent this discomfort from becoming severe, like taking OTC pain medication as directed, placing a cold compress against the outside of your cheek, and sticking to soft foods.
Root canals can usually be prevented, yes! So, if you want to reduce the chances of you needing to come to our office for this emergency dental treatment (or any restorative dental treatment, for that matter) it’s important that you make caring for your smile a priority. That includes brushing for a full two minutes each time, flossing consistently, getting a dental checkup and cleaning semi-annually, and keeping your consumption of added sugar to a minimum.
No, antibiotics are not an adequate replacement for root canal treatment. That’s because – although this medication can eliminate infections in other parts of the body – it can’t address tooth infections.
Note: If you are scared of getting a root canal and want to discuss your other treatment options, don’t hesitate to let us know! We’d be happy to answer any questions you have, provide insight on the benefits of root canal therapy, and find out what we can do to make your experience at our office as positive and anxiety-free as possible.
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| Monday | 8:45 am – 5:45 pm |
| Tuesday | 8:45 am – 5:45 pm |
| Wednesday | 8:45 am – 5:45 pm |
| Thursday | 8:45 am – 5:45 pm |
| Friday | 8:45 am – 5:45 pm |
