Surgical Endodontics in Tinley Park, IL

What Is Surgical Endodontics?

Surgical endodontics includes specialized procedures used to treat problems involving the roots of teeth and surrounding tissues when non-surgical treatment may not be enough. These procedures may be recommended for persistent infection, damaged roots, resorption, or complex conditions that cannot be fully addressed through standard root canal treatment. At Prime Endodontics, surgical care is supported by advanced imaging, magnification, and modern endodontic technology. Our goal is to treat the source of the problem while preserving as much healthy tooth structure as possible.

Benefits of Surgical Endodontics

• May Help Save a Natural Tooth: Surgical endodontic procedures can sometimes preserve a tooth that might otherwise need to be removed. By directly treating diseased or damaged root structures, we can often address problems that are not accessible through conventional treatment.
• Targets Persistent Problems: Some infections or root-related conditions can remain after previous root canal treatment or develop in areas that are difficult to reach. Surgical treatment allows the endodontist to directly access and treat these areas.
• Uses Advanced Diagnostic Technology: Every case at Prime Endodontics is evaluated with 3D CBCT imaging to provide a detailed view of the tooth, roots, and surrounding anatomy. This can help identify fractures, complex root anatomy, resorptive defects, and other conditions that may be difficult to see on traditional dental X-rays.
• Supports Precise, Conservative Care: Surgical microscopes, digital imaging, and other advanced tools help improve visibility and accuracy during treatment. These technologies support a conservative approach focused on preserving healthy structures whenever possible.

Procedures Offered

• Apicoectomy and Root Canal Surgery: An apicoectomy, also called root-end surgery, is performed when infection or inflammation persists around the tip of a tooth’s root after conventional root canal treatment. During the procedure, the affected root tip and surrounding diseased tissue are treated to help preserve the tooth.
• Intentional Reimplantation: Intentional reimplantation is a specialized procedure in which a tooth is carefully removed so it can be treated outside the mouth when conventional approaches are not sufficient. The tooth is then placed back into its original socket with the goal of preserving the natural tooth. The strategy document notes a success rate greater than 90% for this procedure.
• Tooth Hemisection: Tooth hemisection may be used for certain multi-rooted teeth when one root and its associated portion of the tooth are diseased or damaged. The affected portion is surgically removed while the healthy root and remaining crown structure are preserved whenever possible to maintain function.
• Root Amputation: Root amputation involves removing one diseased root from a multi-rooted tooth while preserving the remaining healthy roots and crown. This approach may allow the tooth to continue functioning rather than requiring complete extraction.
• Root Banking: Root banking involves intentionally preserving healthy tooth roots beneath the gums. Maintaining these roots can help support surrounding bone and gum tissue and may provide a stronger foundation for future restorative or tooth replacement treatment.
• External Root Resorption Repair: External root resorption occurs when the outer surface of a tooth’s root begins to break down. Treatment is designed to remove diseased tissue, repair damaged root structure, and stop the resorption process with the goal of preserving the tooth whenever possible.