I have had root canal treatment twice do I need an apicectomy

Q. I have had a route canal done about 4 yrs ago, had to have it done twice as the nerve was not fully taken out 1st time. Have been experience pain in the same tooth which lasted 24hrs. I kept taking Paracetamol which has now killed the pain. Can you advice me what is best to do, i have been told that a route canal can not be done again and a procedure called apestime (excuse the spelling) is one of the ways forward where i would need to go to hospital. Is this true as i do not wish to loose my tooth?

A. Hi many thanks for your enquiry, if you have had the root canal treatment done more than once then i feel your two options would be

1: an Apicectomy, which is a procedure that tries to remove the infection by making an incision at the gum overlying the tooth inquestion and cleaning out the infection. This procedure is usually the last resort for the tooth and is only around 70% successful.

2: extract the tooth and have a dental implant placed.

Hope this is helpful.

If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact me.

Join this Discussion
Dr Kailesh Solanki Kissdental – UK Practice of the Year 2007 157 Woodsend Road, Flixton, Manchester, M41 8GN.2 New Street, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 2QS. 13 Stanley Street, Manchester, M8 8SH. Web: www.kissdental.co.uk Tel: 0161 748 5250 View My Profile Dr Solanki

Leave a Reply

This entry was posted on Friday, May 2nd, 2008 at 9:25 amand is filed under Dr Solanki's Answers, Experts Answers, Q. General dentistry.