When people do not pay sufficient attention to oral hygiene and care, combined with poor eating habits, bacteria inside the mouth increase over time. These bacteria concentrate in decayed teeth. Progressing step by step, they reach as far as the tooth root. This causes inflammation of the tooth roots. If decay progresses in inflamed teeth, root canal treatment must be applied. However, sometimes the decay may progress beyond what can be saved with root canal treatment. Following an unsuccessful root canal treatment, root end resection must be applied in order to save the tooth. This procedure is a minor surgical intervention performed to save teeth at risk of loss and to prevent serious complications. Root end resection allows for the removal of the inflamed tissue around the root end of the tooth. Providing services to his patients in Adana, Specialist Dentist Emin Serhat Arıkan explained for you what root end resection is and why it is applied.
What is Root End Resection?
Root end resection is a surgical treatment procedure applied against infections that form at the tooth root. It is preferred in cases where the infection occurring in the tooth cannot be treated with root canal treatment or another method. To eliminate the inflammation and save the tooth, the infected portion of the tooth root and the surrounding inflamed tissue must be removed. Root end resection is also referred to as apical resection.
In Which Situations is Root End Resection Applied?
Before root end resection, root canal treatment must have been applied to the patient at least once, but this treatment must have proved insufficient to eliminate the infection. The situations in which root end resection should be decided upon are as follows:
- If injuries causing damage to the tooth root are in question
- In cases where the jaw structure is anatomically not suitable for root canal treatment
- It can be applied in cases where the problematic tooth root crowds other tooth roots.
Conversely, if the patient's anatomical jaw structure is not suitable, if the patient has other systemic and chronic diseases, or if the tooth root is smaller than normal, root end resection is not applied.
Can Root End Resection Be Applied to All Teeth?
If the patient's jaw structure is anatomically favorable for the operation, root end resection can be applied to any tooth, including molars. The main point to consider here is the comprehensive examination of the region where the tooth is located using X-ray technology. If your dentist does not deem root end resection suitable after evaluating the diagnostic results, tooth extraction may be required.
How is Root End Resection Performed?
Root end resection is performed while the patient is under the effect of local anesthesia. Prior to surgical intervention, a dental X-ray of the patient is taken and the condition of the infected tooth is analyzed. The extent to which the infection has spread is observed. Taking into account the level of inflammation, the root end and the infected tissue around it are removed. After a detailed disinfection process is performed, the tooth is closed. The treatment proceeds in an extremely painless manner. After the procedure, a certain level of pain, swelling, or bruising may be experienced in the area.
Preparation for Surgery
If the tooth to be surgically intervened upon is examined and deemed suitable for operation, the patient needs to use an antiseptic mouthwash for a period of time. Antibiotic treatment is used to eliminate inflammation in the tooth. Additionally, the patient's medical history is examined before the operation. If high blood pressure or another condition is being experienced, the dentist must be informed about this matter.
During Surgery
Before making any intervention, local anesthesia is applied to numb the area around the tooth affected by the infection. Afterwards, the gum tissue is lifted. Then, the infected area located around the tooth root along with a small section of the root is removed. Following the removal of the root end, the root canal inside the tooth needs to be thoroughly cleaned. A small filling must then be applied to the area to prevent infections that may occur afterwards. Treatment is completed within approximately 30 to 90 minutes. The location of the tooth and the complexity of the root structure affect the treatment duration.
What Should Be Taken Care of After the Root End Resection Procedure?
Following the root end resection procedure, specialist doctors inform patients about the matters they need to be careful about. The subjects that patients should pay attention to after treatment are as follows:
- A cold compress should be applied to the area for ten to twelve hours following the operation. At the same time, the patient needs to spend this duration resting.
- Swelling and bruising may occur in the application area. In fact, this swelling may increase the day after surgery. It is quite normal to see this reaction following tooth root treatment.
- To support the healing process, you should not brush your teeth, smoke, or consume hard foods for the duration specified by your doctor.
- The lip should not be lifted upwards to inspect the tooth subjected to root end resection. You should avoid making unusual mouth movements. Otherwise, the placed sutures may loosen.
- After the operation, the patient may feel a certain amount of numbness in the procedure area. This does not mean the nerves are damaged. Therefore, there is no need to panic.
- To relieve potential pain complaints, you can use the painkillers recommended by your doctor.
- The sutures need to be removed between the second and seventh days after treatment. However, a two-week time frame is needed for full recovery.
How is the Price of Root End Resection Determined?
The price of root end resection may vary according to the location of the tooth to be treated, the number of roots, the prevalence of infection or bone loss, the technical difficulty level of the procedure, and additional applications that may be needed during treatment. In cases deemed necessary, additional procedures such as three-dimensional dental tomography (CBCT), biocompatible filling materials, or bone grafts can also affect the treatment plan. For this reason, it is not possible to set a fixed fee for root end resection. The most accurate price information is determined following clinical and radiological evaluation, in line with the treatment plan prepared according to the patient's needs.
What are Surgical Treatments?
