Root resections

Root resection is carried out only on teeth that are endodontically treated.

Root resection

If a tooth develops an inflammation of the nerve tissue, the tooth often requires endodontic treatment. This is carried out by a dentist. In most cases, the clinical symptoms and the radiological signs of inflammation decrease following successful root filling.

If alleviation of symptoms does not occur, this is usually due to the anatomy of the apex of the tooth, because here the tooth’s root canal branches like a river delta – the branches are too small to be filled by an endodontical treatment but large enough for bacteria to continue to survive there and give rise to inflammation.

On an X-ray image, a chronic inflammation depicts itself in the form of a dark crescent shape around the root end. This develops because bone resorption takes place, so that X-rays are able to penetrate the tissue more effectively in this region, thus blackening the X-ray film.

Provided the periodontium is still sufficient, in such cases the resection of the tip of the root – including the side canals – is advisable. Although this operation is successful in most cases, it does represent the final attempt to save the tooth. Subsequent removal of the tooth cannot always be prevented.

A root resection is an operation that usually performed under local anaesthesia. It necessitates the gum tissue being carefully pulled back and directly access to the tooth root via the alveolar bone. The apex of root is resected and removed. The root canal can be resealed by a retrograde root filling if necessary. This procedure is performed in close consultation with your dentist. In some cases, the tooth will also need to be re-rootfilled in order to increase the likelihood of success. In all cases, an adequate root filling carried out by your dentist should be present beforehand.

We will be very happy to arrange a consultation and to offer surgical support.