When a tooth is badly broken, Dr. Anastasios Photopoulos may recommend a root amputation if no other treatments seem to restore your tooth’s health. A root amputation is used to help preserve your natural teeth instead of performing a tooth extraction. Our oral surgeon, however, will evaluate your other treatment options first and only recommend a root amputation in San Jose, California, if nothing else is working. When you visit AZ Dental, you can rest assured that you are getting the simplest and most convenient treatments first. If you require a root amputation, we invite you to visit our specialist and schedule your appointment by calling us at 408-247-5500.
A root amputation is an endodontic treatment used to help preserve a tooth that is badly cracked or fractured. Root amputations are not terribly common, but they are necessary in some cases. This procedure is performed on teeth that have multiple roots, which are your molars, and they are used as a treatment to preserve damaged teeth that otherwise may be extracted. There are several reasons why our endodontist may recommend a root amputation:
- Repair and preserve teeth that are injured, fractured, or broken.
- Remove bacteria from the inside of the tooth.
- Restore bone that has been lost due to severe periodontal disease.
- Tooth decay that is focused in a particular area of the tooth.
In most cases, root canals take three visits to complete. In the first visit, our endodontist will conduct a root canal on the damaged tooth. Because root amputations involve cutting into your tooth, removing the pulp and nerve beforehand can result in a less painful procedure. During the second appointment, our endodontist will perform the actual root amputation, which requires our doctor to make an incision in your gums to reveal and remove the tooth’s roots. Our endodontist will also clean the surrounding area, ensuring that all bacteria, plaque, and other harmful substances are removed before closing up the incision. The root amputation is completed with a temporary restoration, such as a dental crown. Your final appointment will be between 7 and 10 days after your root amputation, where our endodontist will remove your stitches and provide a permanent filling or crown.
If you would like to learn more about root amputations, we invite you to call or visit our practice today. We are happy to answer any questions and discuss any concerns you may have.
