When a Root Canal Isn’t Enough
Root canal therapy is a common procedure that eliminates decay in the pulp tissue of your tooth. In rare cases, however, bits of decayed tissue is left inside the tooth. This can lead to a more serious infection if left untreated, which can impact your entire mouth.
At Lehigh Valley Oral Surgery and Implant Center, Dr. Chadhry can perform an apicoectomy to save your natural tooth and preserve your oral health.
What Is an Apicoectomy?
An apicoectomy is a procedure in which excess tissue is removed after root canal therapy. Dr. Chadhry will use advanced microsurgical technology to identify any channels that weren’t properly cleaned during the original procedure.
Neglecting to seek treatment for your infected tooth may result in severe health complications. Rest assured, Dr. Chaudhry will prioritize your safety and comfort throughout the procedure.
When Is an Apicoectomy Necessary?
Apicoectomies are typically performed after failed root canal procedures. Dr. Chaudhry may recommend an apicoectomy to patients who’ve undergone a root canal and now experience:
Swelling and inflammation
Frequent or severe pain
Infection
Fracture in tooth’s root
If you’re experiencing persistent pain after your root canal, you may likely require an apicoectomy. Don’t hesitate to contact one of our offices in Bethlehem or Stroudsburg by calling us at (484) 821-1357. Dr. Chaudhry will assess your situation and determine the most effective treatment to alleviate your pain.
Benefits of an Apicoectomy
The benefits of receiving an apicoectomy include:
- Tooth Preservation: Failure to remove dead tissues and prevent/treat infection may result in tooth loss.
- Reduced Risk of Infection: By removing the dead tissues from the tooth channel, your risk of infection decreases significantly.
- Eliminates Pain: An apicoectomy can help alleviate any lingering pain caused by an unsuccessful root canal treatment.
How Is an Apicoectomy Performed?
Once Dr. Chaudhry has located the affected channels, he’ll begin the procedure by administering a local anesthetic to ensure you don’t feel any pain.
Then, he’ll make a small incision in your gums to lift the gum flap that’s covering the lower root area of your tooth. This will allow him to access the inner chamber of your tooth and treat the infection. Dr. Chaudhry will remove any decayed tissue left behind from your root canal. He’ll also remove any possible infected tissue surrounding the root.
After ensuring the canal is clean, Dr. Chaudhry will seal it with a small filling to prevent bacteria and future infection. Finally, he’ll apply stitches to your gums to begin the healing process. This procedure typically takes 30 to 90 minutes to complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will an apicoectomy hurt?
Dr. Chaudhry will administer a local anesthetic beforehand so you won’t feel a thing during your procedure. You may experience slight discomfort after the numbness fades, but this can be treated with a cold compress and over-the-counter medication.
If you experience any lingering pain or swelling after a day or more, it may be a sign of a complication. Contact us right away at (484) 821-1357 to schedule an appointment so we can assess your situation and help alleviate your pain.
Can I return to work after an apicoectomy?
Most patients will be able to return to work the day after their procedure. If your job involves vigorous physical activity, Dr. Chaudhry may recommend that you take one or two days off to fully recover. He’ll provide you with a more accurate post-op timeline and instructions at your initial consultation.
Is there an alternative to this procedure?
The only alternative to an apicoectomy is to remove the affected tooth. We always strive to preserve your natural tooth before resulting in extraction. Dr. Chaudhry will discuss your options with you and help determine which treatment method will be most effective for your situation.
Schedule a Consultation With Dr. Chaudhry
Don’t let your fear of pain stop you from receiving the treatment you need. An apicoectomy can be the difference between a preserved tooth and an extracted tooth.
With years of advanced oral surgery and endodontics training behind him, Dr. Chaudhry has the experience necessary to ensure your treatment runs smoothly. You can contact our Bethlehem and Stroudsburg offices at (484) 821-1357 to schedule an appointment.
EXCELLENT
289 reviews on
Gabriel Perez
November 12, 2021.
if i could give 10 stars i would . this place eased the pain i carried over 2-3 years at first i was skeptical because my past experiences, however they treated me good with respect.they really took care of me never have i seen a place so courteous. i think everyone in pain should go to this place it was the best for me . i had 7 extractions and they tookme in and i was seen in less than 2 weeks and the teeth were removed in about 20 minutes. they worked at god speed lol. great place. Thank you so much for taking care of me .
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Nicole Perez
November 12, 2021.
This place is amazing. The staff are wonderful and very polite. My husband was in pain for years. We went to 2 different oral surgeons and for months they wasted our time. When I called Lehigh valley oral surgery, they listened and made appointments very fast. They even do (out of Network) referrals for insurance. Please if you are in pain and need to be seen this is the place for you. Thank you guys so much for everything you did for my husband.
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Lauren O'Brian
November 11, 2021.
Very grateful that I was able to have my dental implant done with Dr. Chaudhry. He and his staff were professional and kind. They were sensitive to my concerns, and answered all of my questions thoroughly. Nicole, the implant coordinator, was especially supportive throughout the process. Thank you for making this experience as pleasant as possible.
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Mateopuzzler
October 13, 2021.
Had an issue with my insurance didn't realize they type that I had so the information didn't go through, still saw me they day of my extraction and helped me square away my insurance. They are super friendly nice, and seem to be on top of their game. This place is highly recommended for a reason, this is the place to go.
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Dori
October 12, 2021.
My son had 4 wisdom teeth removed. Initially the appointment was for March of 2020. Then the pandemic hit. They refunded my partial payment quickly. Fast forward to September of 2021. Rescheduling was no problem. From the front desk to the doctor and assistants, the staff was friendly and professional. They took new x-rays and found that the procedure was going to be less money! Everything went well. His recovery has been good. He still has some tenderness 3 weeks out. The only complaint I would mention is that we never received a call to check on his recovery. That would have been very nice.
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Tami Giglio
September 30, 2021.
This place is great if you need oral surgery. Everyone is so nice and professional. And the facility is very clean. I highly recommend!!
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Kristen VanFleet
September 24, 2021.
Had to have an emergency extraction. I was in so much pain and they were able to see me the very next day. The office staff starting with the receptionist was very pleasant courteous and professional. The hygienist was very kind and made sure I was comfortable. Dr Kim was excellent. I was given IV sedation and I’m not sure how I will be able to go back to having dental work without it because it made everything much better. They even sent me home with an ice pack which may seem like a small detail but it was a big help once anesthesia wore off. Choose this practice. You won’t regret it.
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April S
September 11, 2021.
I went here a few days ago to get a molar pulled that was chipped and infected. I was completely terrified, so Dr. Farag brought someone in to hold my hand during the numbing shots, and her assistant offered to hold my other hand. She applied plenty of numbing gel, and only two out of all of the injections were painful because she had to inject the gum near the tooth of course, whereas the other shots were just more uncomfortable than anything. The nurses and assistants that held my hand were very sweet, encouraging, and made me chuckle a few times. Dr. Farag talked me through the whole procedure and gave me a break when I needed one. I'll be honest and say it wasn't completely painless, but I don't blame Dr. Farag whatsoever. She tried her best to numb me up, but the tooth was infected and probably couldn't be numbed entirely. Regardless, any pain I felt was probably on a scale of about 3-4, and only happened at certain times during the procedure; it wasn't constant. The pain from the infection felt way worse than anything I felt that day in that chair.
It was over pretty quickly. Her assistant stayed with me afterwards and talked with me until I was calm, since I found myself in a fit of tears after the tooth was pulled. I wasn't in pain afterwards, just really relieved, I think. Dr. Farag seemed to feel genuinely bad at how upset I was, and suggested that I be sedated next time or given anti-anxiety medication if and when I come back to get anything done. She's right, as I would say my own fear was probably the worst part of the experience.
I'm 3 days post-extraction and I feel fine. The bleeding stopped within a few hours when I got home, and the wound seems to be healing well. There is some soreness, a very minimal amount of swelling, and occasional twinges of pain in the area, but that's it.
I would recommended coming here if you need work done. Everyone here is very kind, caring and compassionate. They also honored the fact that I had panoramic x-rays prior, whereas some places will charge you for an x-ray even if you've already had one done.
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