Although conventional root canal therapy is approximately
90 percent successful when performed by a general dentist
or endodontist (root canal specialist), there are certain
instances when this is not possible or not indicated. A
surgical root canal can be considered when conventional
root canal therapy has failed or cannot be performed.

Surgical root canals are also called apicoectomies by the
dental profession. They can also be referred to as surgical
endodontic procedures.

There are many indications for surgical root canals, which
include:

Inability to eliminate a pathologic process with
conventional root canal therapy. This may
include the need to remove cysts, granulation
tissue or infection.

Root fractures

Root perforations

Recurrent pain and infections

Pathology that cannot be removed because it is impossible to clean and fill
the root canal from a routine approach. Examples of this include teeth with
severe root curvatures, calcified root canals, and teeth that have posts and
caps placed.

Correction of a treatment failure or a procedural accident such as broken
instruments, incomplete root canal filling or lack of adequate root canal
seal.

Unfortunately, not every problem of this nature can be treated with
surgical root canal. A consultation visit with Dr. Falcone is necessary
to determine what type of treatment is best for you. He will also discuss
treatment alternatives such as extraction, dental implants and other
modalities to help correct your dental problems when conventional root
canal therapy fails.