5 Ways to Boost Your Recovery After Apexification

When a new tooth emerges through the gums, it’s actually not a fully formed tooth yet. The top portion that you can see (crown) is complete and perfectly functional, and while the bottom two-thirds that lies underneath the surface of your gums (the root) is also fully functional, it remains incomplete.

After the crown erupts, the tip of your tooth root (the apex) is still open, and it takes a few years for it to continue growing and seal shut.

Unfortunately, while that apex is open, it leaves your tooth vulnerable to infectious bacteria that can wreak havoc on the delicate tissues inside your tooth (the pulp).

If you’ve developed a tooth infection, root canal therapy becomes a necessity to preserve the vitality of your tooth and save it from extraction. However, if you have an open apex, root canal therapy becomes tricky.

That’s exactly where apexification comes in.

Endodontist Robert Scott Nance, DDS, MS, PA, and our team at our practices in Statesville and Hickory, North Carolina, offer a wide variety of endodontic services that protect and save infected or damaged teeth, including apexification before root canal therapy.

In this month’s blog, we discuss how apexification works and how to have a smooth recovery.

Possible causes of an open apex

As stated above, the apex of your tooth takes a few years to close after the crown erupts through the gum line. So, understandably, the need for root canal therapy due to an open apex is often seen in children and adolescents.

However, other times, the apex of the tooth never closes, which keeps your risk for infection heightened. In some other cases, the apex of your tooth can reopen due to erosion.

No matter the reason for the open apex, it must be sealed before you can undergo root canal therapy.

What apexification seeks to do

When your tooth gets infected because of the open apex or because of another opening in your tooth from a crack or cavity, the pulp in your tooth becomes damaged, leading to tooth pain and sensitivity.

To restore the tooth, the inside of your tooth has to be cleaned out and filled with dental materials during a root canal.

However, if your tooth is open at the bottom, there’s nothing to keep the dental material inside. So, Dr. Nance first performs apexification.

During apexification, Dr. Nance cleans the inside of your tooth before placing a chemical solution inside that forms a calcific barrier that seals the end of your tooth.

Recovering from apexification

Although apexification recovery is usually mild, you must still be vigilant in following all post-op instructions. This ensures you’ll protect your tooth from reinfection to stay on track for your endodontic treatment timeline.

After apexification, take care to:

Avoid biting down or chewing on the treated side of your mouth while it’s still numb
Avoid using your treated tooth until a crown has been placed
Use ice packs along with pain relievers to reduce pain and swelling
Keep up your normal oral hygiene routine
Make it into our office for all follow-up visits

Our team observes your treated tooth while the new barrier forms. This monitoring process ensures that a new root is forming as it should and gives us the chance to quickly catch anything that may interfere.

After the new root has formed, Dr. Nance can finish up your endodontic treatment plan by performing the full root canal.

If you notice any signs of infection after apexification, such as swelling, severe pain, or a fever, contact our office immediately to have it examined.

For any questions concerning apexification or any of our other endodontic treatments, simply call your nearest office location today.