Endodontic Microsurgery Specialist

What is endodontic microsurgery?

The best way to understand endodontic microsurgery is to think about the structure of your teeth. The outermost layer of tooth tissue is a thin shell of hard tissue called enamel. Just beneath lies a thicker layer of hard tissue called dentin. 

Below your dentin is a hollow chamber that extends into the roots of your tooth. This chamber is filled with pulp, a mix of nerves, blood vessels, connective tissue, and other tissues that work to nourish your tooth and deliver sensory information to your brain. 

When something goes wrong in this inner chamber, a physical examination and traditional imaging can’t fully assess the situation. Endodontic microsurgery allows Dr. Seung to “see” the interior areas of your tooth and perform procedures to repair tissue damage. 

What types of procedures are done using endodontic microsurgery?

Endodontic microsurgery is often used as a diagnostic tool to evaluate the interior portion of your tooth. Tiny canals or fractures may be present that cannot be detected using a standard X-ray.

Calcium deposits sometimes block a portion of a tooth canal, preventing traditional root canal techniques from fully clearing all traces of infected pulp. Other issues can also complicate healing after a root canal, and endodontic microsurgery is a great tool for re-treatment. 

Apicoectomy

Also called root-end resection, this procedure involves opening the gum tissue to expose the underlying bone before removing any infected or inflamed tissue. The tip of the root is also removed, and a small filling can be placed to seal the root before the gums are sutured closed. 

Root amputation

If only one root of a tooth is infected, a root amputation can save the tooth from extraction. The process involves surgically removing only the infected root and sometimes irrigating the area with an antibacterial solution to prevent reinfection before placing a filling to stabilize the tooth.

Intentional re-implantation

This approach is a good fit for infected teeth that cannot be treated using conventional microsurgery techniques. The tooth is gently extracted and repaired outside of the socket before being re-implanted into the gum tissue. 

Necrotic revascularization

When a tooth no longer has a viable nerve, it’s considered dead, or necrotic. This treatment seeks to save a dead tooth by introducing antibiotic materials to clear infection and promote stem cell differentiation within a developing tooth.

Dr. Seung is experienced in numerous endodontic microsurgery procedures and can guide you toward the options best suited for your needs and goals.

What are the alternatives to endodontic microsurgery?

Depending on the extent of damage or infection, your anatomy, and your treatment preferences, there are sometimes alternatives to endodontic microsurgery. However, by the time an endodontic procedure is on the table, this approach is often the only viable option for saving a tooth.

If you are certain you don’t want to go through with endodontic microsurgery, Dr. Seung will discuss extraction options and ways to replace the missing tooth. Replacing your tooth is critical to prevent the surrounding teeth from shifting out of position, and options like dental implants can also work to preserve bone health after an extraction. 

To explore your options in greater detail, call or click to set up a personalized consultation.