apexification

If you've had a traumatic dental injury, using apexification along with root canal treatment can help in saving your tooth.

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Saving teeth with apexification services

apexification & Root canal therapy

Apexification is an endodontic treatment that’s administered alongside root canal therapy to save a tooth that’s been damaged by a traumatic dental injury. It’s usually only required for children who have damaged one of their permanent teeth before it has fully formed. In this process, unhealthy pulp is removed from the tip of the tooth, then special medication is used to treat it and encourage hard tissue to form near the root tip. This closes the tooth and allows it to be treated with a traditional root canal.

Why Is Apexification Necessary?

To understand why apexification is necessary, it’s important to know a bit about the anatomy of a tooth. A normal tooth has a cone-shaped root. This root widens at the crown, then narrows to a closed root “tip.” However, permanent adult teeth that are not developed don’t always have a closed root tip. This is called an “open apex.” These teeth need to continue to grow and develop to gain strength. Normally, this isn’t an issue. As the mouth grows and develops, the tip of the tooth will close.

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However, if an immature permanent tooth is damaged by a traumatic dental injury, the open apex may never close. This will cause problems during root canal therapy. A closed root canal is necessary so that the tooth can be cleaned, filled, and restored properly. This is why apexification must be integrated into the treatment process. By creating a calcified barrier and closing the open apex, apexification “closes” the tooth root and allows the tooth to be treated with a root canal.

The Apexification Treatment Process: What To Expect

For many patients, knowing what to expect during treatment helps relieve anxiety and make for a smoother process. When coming in for apexification treatment, you can expect:

Initial Treatment: Initially, the treatment process is similar to a root canal. The tooth is cleaned and numbed, then opened up. Special tools are used to clean out damaged pulp and tooth material. Then, the area will be flushed and irrigated to sanitize the tooth. Finally, calcium hydroxide or another special material will be packed into the end of the tooth, and the tooth will be filled and sealed.

Follow Ups: Your dentist at ONE ENDO may need to see you for a few checkups over the next 6 months as the tooth heals and calcifies to ensure the open apex is calcifying and closing properly.

Root Canal Treatment: Once the apexification process is complete, you’ll come back to ONE ENDO to get a root canal. This completes the procedure, and ensures your tooth will stay intact for years to come.

WHAT KIND OF AFTERCARE IS REQUIRED?

Similarly to root canal therapy, no special treatment is required to take care of the tooth after the apexification procedure. To avoid biting your cheeks and lips, you may want to avoid eating or chewing for a few hours until your numbing wears off. Other than that, just make sure to brush and floss normally, and make sure to come back to ONE ENDO® as scheduled for follow-ups to make sure that the apexification process is proceeding normally.

RESTORE YOUR HEALTY SMILE TODAY

Are you looking to restore the health of your smile? Scheduling a consultation with the ONE ENDO® team is the first step to discover the right treatment plan for you. Contact us at one of our three convenient locations today and start on the path to your healthy, beautiful smile.

Frequently asked apexification questions

  • What is the difference between pulpotomy and apexification?

    Basically, the difference between a pulpotomy and apexification has to do with the level of damage done to an immature adult tooth. Pulpotomies are used for teeth that are not fully developed and have inflamed pulp, but are still “vital,” and can still be saved.


    Alongside a pulpotomy, a treatment called “apexogenesis” is typically used. This treatment is somewhat similar to apexification, but it’s intended to help the root of the tooth heal and continue to form properly. With a pulpotomy and apexogenesis, it’s often possible to save the tooth, and ensure that it grows properly and continues to develop.


    In contrast, apexification is usually used alongside a root canal to treat a tooth that’s non-vital (dead), but still does not have fully formed roots. In apexification, a special procedure is used to close up the root of the tooth. Special materials are placed in the end of the tooth root to close and seal the “apex” of the root and protect the tooth from further damage.

  • What can apexification treat?

    Apexification is usually only needed alongside a root canal for seriously-damaged teeth that are non-vital, meaning that the pulp has been completely destroyed and cannot be saved. In addition, it’s typically only necessary for immature teeth that are not fully developed and do not have a “closed” root. 


    For example, if your child is 13 years old, and they develop a serious tooth decay and tooth infection in a rear molar that destroys the tooth pulp, they may need treatment with a root canal and apexification. This is because the roots of the teeth often are not fully formed until about three years after the teeth have erupted.


    First, the team at ONE ENDO® would clean the interior of the tooth to remove their damaged pulp. Then, if they find that the root of their tooth has not fully formed, our team will also recommend apexification. In this process, they will apply sealing materials such as calcium hydroxide or mineral trioxide aggregate to the apex of your child’s tooth root. 


    Over time, these substances form a hardened layer over the apex of the root, which is known as a “calcific” barrier. This preserves the root of their tooth, and helps keep it strong and intact after root canal therapy.

  • How do I know that my child needs apexification?

    If your child has serious tooth decay or a tooth infection in one of their adult teeth, apexification may be necessary alongside root canal therapy from ONE ENDO® to restore their tooth. Common signs of decay and infections include tooth sensitivity, tooth and/or gum discoloration, visible holes or pits in the tooth, and toothaches. 


    The only way to know for sure whether or not apexification is necessary for your child is to schedule an appointment with the team at ONE ENDO®. So don’t wait. Schedule an appointment at one of our offices in Westchester, Norwalk, or Greenwich, today, and make sure your child gets the treatment they need to save their tooth.

For more information About apexification or to request a consultation, call one of our Three locations Or Contact Us ONline.

WHY choose ONE ENDO®

Patients opt for the ONE ENDO® Experience because we are able to offer:

Qualified and Experienced Endodontists
Licensed & Trained Endodontists
Modern Dental Technology
Cutting-Edge Dental Technology
Patient-Centered Care
Patient-Centric Service 
Emergency & Same-Day Care
Emergency & Same-Day Care
Financing Options Available
Financing Options Available
We Accept PPO Insurance
We Accept PPO Insurance
Three Convenient Locations
Three Convenient Locations
Friendly & Supportive Staff
Friendly & Supportive Staff

READ OUR REVIEWS

I am a total scaredy-cat when it comes to dentists. All my concerns and worries were taken care of by Dr. Chen. She was awesome. Her bedside manner was just the best and really made me feel at ease. Her workmanship was impeccable and I am 24 hrs past my root canal- pain free. Just can’t say enough about Dr. Chen.

Paul G.
Westchester Shore

Dr. Mastroianni and his team are fantastic! I went to their office in severe pain and they addressed it immediately.  The technology they used to find the route of the problem was like anything I have seen before. He was able to quickly find the issue and direct me to resolution. I would recommend 10/10!

Tiffany P.
Norwalk

I was referred to One Endo to detect and treat the source of severe tooth pain.  Dr. Mastroianni quickly determined the source of the pain, took the time to explain the problem and the options for treatment, and performed an emergency root canal immediately. I highly recommend One Endo - and in particular Dr. Mastroianni.

Elizabeth K.
Greenwich