An infected tooth often requires a root canal, a procedure that removes the root and the pulp of your tooth, disinfects it and seals it up to keep it safe. A crown is usually placed on top of the tooth to provide strength, stability and protection from bacteria.

However, is some cases, your root canal may fail, and your tooth becomes infected again. If this is the case, your oral surgeon may recommend endodontic surgery.

What Causes Failure?

There are several factors that can cause a root canal to fail:


Whatever the reason for your root canal failure, it is imperative to have it retreated.

Why Endodontic Surgery?

When a root canal needs re-treatment, the crown needs to be broken, and the core, post and filling material need to be removed. This can often be difficult to do without damaging the natural tooth, as the crown and post are cemented in placed. In order to save the tooth, endodontic surgery is often suggested.

What is Endodontic Surgery?

Endodontic surgery involves accessing your tooth from the bottom, rather than the top. One of the most common endodontic procedures is an apicoectomy. After numbing the area, your surgeon makes a small incision in your gums, and lifts them away to expose the root of the tooth and bone. Infected tissue is removed and the tip of the root is shaved down.

Your surgeon then cleans the canal and fills in the end of the root. Finally, the gums are stitched back against your tooth. A successful procedure helps to save your tooth from extraction.

For the most part, root canals are successful at getting rid of infections and protecting your tooth. However, if it does fail, your oral surgeon may call for endodontic surgery. Contact our office for more information.