Toggle navigation

(508) 798-0627

  • blog
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Request an Appointment

  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Contact Us
  • Appointment Request
  • Patient Education

My Blog

Posts for tag: root canal treatment

We may Still be Able to Save Your Tooth with a Root Canal Alternative

By Worcester Dental
July 22, 2016
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: root canal treatment   apicoectomy  
WemayStillbeAbletoSaveYourToothwithaRootCanalAlternative

Your tooth is in peril if its innermost layer, the pulp, becomes infected and inflamed. Deep tooth decay, repeated dental procedures or fractures can all expose the pulp and ultimately the roots to infection and lead to tooth loss.

But that scenario isn't inevitable — we can often save the tooth with a root canal treatment. By accessing the tooth's interior through a prepared hole, we're able to clean out the infected tissue in the pulp chamber and root canals, and fill the empty space with a special filling. We then cap the tooth with a custom crown to protect it from a re-infection.

Root canal treatments have a very high success rate — chances are good your tooth will survive for many years afterward. But there's a slight chance the tooth may become re-infected; in that case, a second root canal treatment may be in order.

In a few cases, though, a second root canal may not be advisable, and could even accelerate damage to the tooth. For example, if past dental work resulted in an extensive crown restoration, accessing the root canals the conventional way will require disassembling that restoration. This could weaken the tooth significantly.

We can approach the problem from a different route: instead of accessing the tooth's interior through the crown (the visible part of the tooth), we instead perform a surgical procedure called an apicoectomy, which accesses the tooth at the root end through the gums.

In this procedure we numb the area with local anesthesia and then make a small incision through the gums at the level of the affected root. After access, we remove any diseased tissue around the root and a few millimeters of the root tip itself. We then insert a small filling in its place to seal the canal and prevent further infection. In some cases we may also insert a graft to encourage bone growth and aid in healing.

Over time, the affected area will heal and return to normal function. Even if a traditional root canal treatment can't be used, an apicoectomy could be another option for saving your tooth.

If you would like more information on your options for preserving a problem tooth, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Apicoectomy.”

0 Comment(s) Permalink


Subscribe to our RSS Feed

Archive:

  • 2019
      • February (3)
        • Legal or Not, Marijuana Poses a Health Risk to Your Gums
        • Local Anesthesia Takes the Pain Out of Most Dental Work
        • Healthy Smiles for Alfonso Ribeiro and Family
      • January (3)
        • Less-Invasive Pulp Capping Could Save Your Tooth
        • 3 Situations for Seeing a Periodontist
        • Topical Fluoride is a Safe Way to Protect Your Child's Teeth from Decay
  • 2018
      • December (3)
        • Spice Up Your Teeth
        • Wisdom Teeth Warrant Close Watch to Avoid Future Health Issues
        • Bitewing X-Rays Safely 'Reveal all' About Back Teeth to Prevent Tooth Decay
      • November (3)
        • Be Wary When Considering Botox Treatment for TMD
        • Fan of Superhero Film Black Panther Breaks Steel Wire...with Her Mouth!
        • Moderate Your Child's Juice Drinking to Lower Tooth Decay Risk
      • October (3)
        • Early Orthodontic Treatment Could Lessen Severity of Certain Bite Problems
        • No Need to Fret Over Implant Surgery
        • A Different Kind of "Chip Shot" for Pro Golfer Danielle Kang
      • September (3)
        • Lasers Could One Day be Commonplace for Treating Gum Disease
        • We can Build up Lost Bone Before Your Implant
        • What You Should Know About a Home Teeth Whitening Kit
      • August (3)
        • Singer Dua Lipa Sees the Wisdom in Postponing Tour Dates
        • Veneers may Offer a Less Invasive Way to Transform Your Smile
        • A Bonded Retainer Might Work for You after Orthodontic Treatment
      • July (3)
        • Diabetes Doesn't Have to Stop You From Acquiring Dental Implants
        • Julianne Hough Shares a Video - and a Song - After Wisdom Teeth Come Out
        • Be on the Alert for Gum Disease While Wearing Braces
      • June (3)
        • People Born with Missing Teeth can Still Gain a Beautiful Smile
        • 3 Areas to Watch to Avoid Excessive Tooth Wear
        • (Don't) Break It Like Beckham
      • May (3)
        • Managing Diabetes and Gum Disease Together will Lessen the Effect of Both
        • Simple Procedure Could Reduce Biting the Inside of Your Mouth
        • What You Should Know About Veneers for Teenagers
      • April (4)
        • Why Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Couldn't Have Braces
        • Learn How To Protect Your Teeth During Stress Awareness Month
        • Why You Should Consider a Professional Procedure for Your Teeth Whitening
        • Instill Good Dental Habits in Your Child as Early as Possible
      • March (2)
        • Even Celebrities Like Jennifer Lawrence Aren't Immune From Bad Breath!
        • Don't Ignore Tooth Pain - You May Need a Root Canal
      • February (1)
        • Could Your Metal Allergy Keep You From Obtaining Dental Implants?
      • January (3)
        • Avoid Bone Loss around Tooth Roots through Regular Dental Care
        • Chrissy Teigen's Teeth-Grinding Troubles
        • Seek Immediate Treatment for this Advanced Form of Gingivitis
  • 2017
      • December (2)
        • A Long-Term Orthodontic Strategy Could Help Ensure an Attractive Smile Later in Life
        • Coaxing Impacted Teeth to the Right Position can Improve Your Smile
      • November (2)
        • Actor David Ramsey Discusses Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
        • Frequently Asked Questions About Diabetes and Oral Health
      • October (2)
        • FAQ: Dental Care During Pregnancy
        • The Timely Use of a Palatal Expander Could Help Correct a Cross-Bite
      • September (3)
        • How Kathy Bates Retains Her Movie-Star Smile
        • Sedation Can Help Create a More Positive Dental Experience for a Child
        • Master Illusionist Benefits from the Magic of Orthodontics
      • August (2)
        • Think You're Too Old for Orthodontics? Read This
        • Jamie Foxx Chips a Tooth - This Time by Accident!
      • July (2)
        • Add a Healthy Diet to Your Oral Cancer Prevention Strategy
        • Jimmy Fallon Can’t Catch a Break - Except in His Tooth
      • June (2)
        • Orthodontists can Use Other Tools with Braces for Complex Bite Problems
        • Expert Advice: Vivica A. Fox on Kissing and Oral health
      • May (2)
        • Dental Care is Difficult but not Impossible for a Special Needs Child
        • Actress Emma Stone Reveals How Thumb Sucking Affected Her Teeth
      • April (2)
        • Instill in Your Child the Daily Habit of Brushing and Flossing
        • Vivica's Veneers: the Making of a Hollywood Smile
      • March (3)
        • The Top 3 Oral Problems in America - and What You Should Do About Them
        • In Today's NFL, Oral Hygiene Takes Center Stage
        • Be Sure to have These 3 Essentials Covered Beforehand for Veneer Success
      • February (2)
        • No "Glee" in Tooth Grinding
        • Sedation, Along with Understanding, can Relieve Your Dental Visit Fears
      • January (2)
        • Fifth Harmony's Camila Cabello Chips a Tooth, but Concert Still "Worth It"
        • Treating Teeth Grinding Now Could Help Prevent Excessive Tooth Wear Later
  • 2016
      • December (2)
        • Life Is Sometimes a Grind for Brooke Shields
        • Research Confirms: Dental Sealants Really Work!
      • November (2)
        • Dental Crowns for the King of Magic
        • 4 Reasons you may want Your Dentist to Whiten Your Teeth
      • October (2)
        • America's (Dentists) Got Talent - for Fixing Damaged or Missing Teeth!
        • An Assortment of Orthodontic Tools helps us Solve Complex Bite Problems
      • September (2)
        • Dr. Travis Stork: If Only I'd Worn A Mouthguard!
        • Gum Recession Could Shorten the Life of Your Teeth
      • August (3)
        • Dental Magic Transforms Smiles
        • Your Options for Restoring a Chipped Tooth
        • Neil Patrick Harris: What the Oscars Host Treasures Most
      • July (2)
        • We may Still be Able to Save Your Tooth with a Root Canal Alternative
        • Kathy Bates Plays It Smart With Professional Teeth Whitening
      • June (2)
        • Keeping Gum Disease at Bay Could Help Your Overall Health
        • Noah Galloway's Dentally Dangerous Dancing
      • May (2)
        • Dental Porcelain is a Great Option for Creating a Natural Appearance
        • A Royal Fix
      • April (2)
        • Staining Within a Tooth Requires a Clinical Whitening Approach
        • Giancarlo Stanton Gets Major-League Mouth Protection
      • March (3)
        • A Teen's Missing Tooth May Require a Temporary Replacement
        • Johnny's Teeth Aren't Rotten Any More
        • Oral Sedation Helps Reduce Anxiety During Dental Treatment
      • February (2)
        • Tom Hanks' Abscessed Tooth Gets Cast Away
        • Although a Global Problem, Tooth Decay can be Prevented
      • January (2)
        • Actor David Ramsey Says: Don't Forget to Floss!
        • Changing Antibiotic Use Today will Help Ensure Their Effectiveness Tomorrow
  • 2015
      • December (2)
        • Dr. Travis Stork: Don't Ignore Bleeding Gums
        • Closing the Gap Between Front Teeth Can Create a More Attractive Smile
      • November (3)
        • Jason Derulo's Ideal Match
        • With Proper Management, Dental Implants can be a Reality for Diabetics
        • Sofia Vergara: 'Obsessed' With Oral Hygiene
      • October (2)
        • Is Laser Treatment a Good Option for Controlling Gum Disease?
        • Eden Sher and the Lost Retainer
      • September (2)
        • Palatal Expansion Could Head Off Future Orthodontic Treatment
        • A Toothless Tiger?
      • August (2)
        • The Perils of a Loose Permanent Tooth - and What to do About it
        • Dwight Howard: A Bright NBA Star With a Smile to Match
      • July (2)
        • A Healthy Diet Could Lower Your Risk of Oral Cancer
        • New Front Teeth for a Teenaged David Duchovny
      • June (2)
        • Teeth Whitening: Know Your Options
        • Beyonce Makes Flossing a Family Affair
      • May (3)
        • Orthodontic Headgear: What It Is and Why It May be Needed
        • Jerry Rice's Advice on Protecting Your Children's Teeth
        • Welcome to Our Blog

Tags

  • mouthguard (2)
  • oral health (7)
  • celebrity smiles (43)
  • dental injuries (1)
  • orthodontics (6)
  • headgear (2)
  • oral hygiene (7)
  • teeth whitening (6)
  • dental implants (7)
  • nutrition (2)
  • oral cancer (2)
  • braces (7)
  • loose teeth (1)
  • crowns (3)
  • palatal expander (2)
  • laser dentistry (1)
  • gum disease (6)
  • cosmetic dentistry (4)
  • orthodontic treatment (8)
  • frenectomy (1)
  • antibiotics (1)
  • tooth decay (2)
  • abscessed tooth (1)
  • sedation dentistry (3)
  • oral sedation (1)
  • partial denture (1)
  • bridge (1)
  • athletic mouthguards (1)
  • bonding (1)
  • dental emergency (1)
  • dental injury (3)
  • root canal treatment (1)
  • apicoectomy (1)
  • wisdom teeth (4)
  • chipped tooth (3)
  • gum recession (1)
  • chipped teeth (1)
  • sealants (1)
  • pediatric dentistry (7)
  • teeth grinding (2)
  • tooth grinding (1)
  • veneers (2)
  • thumb sucking (1)
  • porcelain veneers (3)
  • mouthguards (1)
  • retainers (1)
  • pregnancy (1)
  • dental care (1)
  • diabetes (3)
  • periodontal disease (3)
  • teeth wear (1)
  • tooth pain (1)
  • bad breath (1)
  • oral heath (1)
  • bruxism (1)
  • night guard (1)
  • oral surgery (1)
  • tooth wear (1)
  • missing teeth (1)
  • retainer (2)
  • bone grafting (1)
  • tmj disorders (1)
  • tmd (1)
  • x-ray (1)
  • topical fluoride (1)
  • periodontist (1)
  • pulp capping (1)
  • local anesthesia (1)
  • marijuana (1)
  • oral-health (1)

Categories:

  • None (1)
  • Oral Health (41)
  • Dental Procedures (64)

Our Location

88 Pleasant St
Worcester, MA 01609-3204
(508) 798-0627

Map & directions

Office Hours
Monday: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Tuesday: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Wednesday: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Thursday: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Friday: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Saturday: 08:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Every Other)
Sunday: Closed
  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Patient Education
  • Contact Us
  • Appointment Request
  • Website for Dentist Copyright © MH Sub I, LLC dba Officite
  • Disclaimer
  • Patient Privacy
  • Site Map