Reviewed by Dr. Matthew Young, DDS
Reading time: five minutes.
Root canals have a bad reputation, but they’re actually an effective way to save your natural tooth from extraction. But here’s a question that often comes up: Is it considered an oral surgery? The answer depends on a few factors.
In this blog, Dr. Matthew Young, DDS, explains the differences between surgical and non-surgical procedures, providing a comprehensive guide to when each is needed and why this dental treatment is important.
Table of Contents
- Why Do You Need a Root Canal in the First Place?
- Who Performs Root Canal Procedures?
- Non-Surgical Root Canal Procedures
- Surgical Root Canal Procedures
- FAQs about Root Canals
- Post Street Dental Group: Your Dentist in San Francisco
Key Takeaway
A root canal isn’t always considered oral surgery. Though a standard root canal (endodontic treatment) is a non-surgical procedure, a surgical root canal (apicoectomy) involves removing the infected root tip and is therefore classified as oral surgery.
Why Do You Need a Root Canal in the First Place?
Inside your tooth, beneath the hard enamel and dentin, lies the pulp chamber. This chamber contains soft tissue called pulp, which houses nerves and blood vessels that nourish your natural tooth.
The treatment is necessary when the pulp is infected. Infection can be caused by deep decay, cracks, or trauma. Without treatment, the infection can spread, leading to:
- Severe tooth pain: You might experience throbbing, persistent pain that disrupts your daily life.
- Abscess formation: An abscess is a pocket of pus that can form at the root tip, causing swelling and discomfort.
- Bone loss: The infection can damage the bone structure supporting your tooth.
- Tooth loss: If left untreated, the infected tooth may need to be extracted.
Who Performs Root Canal Procedures?
Both non-surgical and surgical treatments are typically performed by either a general dentist who has received additional training in endodontics or an endodontist, a specialist who focuses solely on this procedure. In some cases, an oral surgeon may be involved, particularly for complex apicoectomies.
Non-Surgical Root Canal Procedures
Non-surgical therapy is the most common type of endodontic procedure. This treatment requires the removal of the pulp from its chamber, thorough cleaning of the canal, and filling.
When is Non-Surgical Root Canal Therapy Recommended?
A non-surgical treatment is recommended in the following cases:
- Infected pulp: If the pulp inside your tooth is infected, causing tooth pain or sensitivity.
- Deep decay: If a cavity has reached the pulp, causing inflammation or infection.
- Cracked or broken tooth: When a tooth is cracked or broken, exposing the pulp to bacteria.
Non-Surgical Root Canal Procedure
Here’s what you can expect:
- Exam and x-rays: Your dentist will start by examining your tooth. An X-ray is needed to assess the extent of the infection.
- Anesthesia: Local anesthesia will be used to numb the area around the tooth. If you experience dental anxiety, discuss sedation options with your dentist.
- Access: A small opening will be created in the crown of the tooth to reach the pulp chamber.
- Pulp removal: The infected pulp will be carefully removed from the pulp chamber and root canals.
- Cleaning and shaping: The canals will be thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, and shaped to prepare them for filling.
- Filling: The canals will be filled with a biocompatible material to seal them and prevent reinfection.
- Temporary filling: A temporary filling will be placed to protect the tooth while a permanent restoration is created.
- Permanent restoration: A crown or filling will be placed to restore the tooth’s function and appearance.
Surgical Root Canal Procedures
Surgical therapy, aka apicoectomy, is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the tip of the tooth’s root, also known as the apex. This form of endodontic surgery is usually performed by an endodontist when non-surgical treatment is not sufficient.
An apicoectomy may be necessary under the following conditions:
- Persistent infection: When infection persists after non-surgical therapy.
- Complex root structure: If the tooth has an unusual root structure that makes it difficult to treat with non-surgical methods.
Surgical Root Canal Procedure
Here’s what you can expect:
- Gum tissue access: The endodontist will lift the gum tissue near the affected tooth to expose the underlying bone.
- Root tip removal: They will remove the tip of the root, along with any infected tissue.
- Filling: The end of the canal will be sealed with a filling material.
- Sutures: The surgeon will place sutures to close the gum tissue.
FAQs about Root Canals
Most patients report feeling little to no pain during the procedure because local anesthesia is used to numb the area. The pain leading up to a root canal—caused by infection or inflammation—is much more severe than the procedure itself.
Root canal treatment is very safe and has a high success rate. Like any medical or dental procedure, there are some risks, such as infection, continued inflammation, or an incomplete removal of the infected tissue. However, these risks are minimal when the procedure is performed by a qualified professional.
You should wait until the numbness wears off before eating so you don’t accidentally bite your tongue and cheeks. Avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods until the tooth is permanently restored with a crown or filling, as the tooth may be more susceptible to damage in the interim.
Post Street Dental Group: Your Dentist in San Francisco
Both surgical and non-surgical procedures are effective treatments to save your natural tooth and relieve pain. At Post Street Dental Group, our experienced team is trained in performing root canal and other dental procedures to help you maintain optimal oral health.
If you suspect you might have an infection or feel a toothache, contact us today to schedule an appointment. If you are searching for a ‘root canal dentist near me’ or a dentist in San Francisco, CA’ we can help. Call (415) 986-4534 to book an appointment or complete the online inquiry form.