Endodontic Surgery

Dentist doing endodontic surgery

Apicoectomy explained 

Sometimes a tooth with a failing root canal procedure can only be corrected by performing surgery, a procedure known as apicoectomy. This procedure is also referred to as “root-end surgery” or “root-end resection.” During the procedure, the end of the troublesome root is removed, along with inflamed and infected surrounding tissues. The ends of the root canals are then sealed with small fillings and a few sutures are precisely placed.

You may be a candidate for surgical endodontic therapy if: 

  • The initial root canal treatment did not eliminate pain or infection.
  • Some of the anatomy of the tooth was not accessible from inside the tooth.
  • Sometimes a large area of infection in the bone won’t heal without surgery.
  • Root resorption is present (a portion of the root dissolves).
  • There is a broken instrument in the tooth that needs to be removed.
  • Biopsy is needed to identify suspicious areas of bone loss.

The idea of even very minor surgery can be intimidating. However, you can feel confident knowing that your oral health is in good hands when you choose Endodontic Consultants of San Antonio in Texas.  Dr. Rick Davis and Dr. Rick Schwartz are trained and experienced endodontists who share a common goal of providing quality treatment with minimal patient discomfort. If you are concerned about an apicoectomy procedure, schedule your consultation by calling (210) 405-0473.

Dr. Richard D. Davis, DDS near me

Dr. Richard Davis, DDS

Richard D. Davis, DDS, graduated from high school in Japan, attended the University of Washington dental school, and joined the Air Force as a general dentist in 1978. He completed the Air Force one-year AEGD residency, a two-year Advanced General Dentistry Residency, and a fellowship in biomaterials at the University of Indiana. Dr. Davis was a clinical instructor, research director, and lecturer at the Air Force. He has published many scientific articles and research papers, and has lectured on many topics. Following retirement from the Air Force in 1999, he completed the graduate program in endodontics at the University of Oregon in 2001, and joined Dr. Schwartz and has been in private practice in endodontics since then.
Dr. Richard S. Schwartz, DDS near me

Dr. Richard Schwartz, DDS
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Richard S. Schwartz, DDS, graduated from the University of Minnesota dental school in 1977. He was a restorative dentist for 19 years: Early in his career, he attended a two-year general dentistry residency while in the US Air Force, and then did a combination of private practice, teaching, and dental materials research before entering endodontic post-graduate training in 1996. He has authored over 100 articles and abstracts in scientific journals and lectured extensively in the US and in 21 other countries, including 12 times at the American Association of Endodontists’ national meeting. Since 1998 Dr. Schwartz has been in full-time private practice in endodontics in San Antonio, TX, and has practiced with Dr. Davis since 2001. He was a founding member and first secretary/treasurer of the International Association of Endodontics. He is also a member of the American Dental Association and International Association of Dental Specialists.
Dr. Zhangrui “Zac” Liang, DDS, MS near me

Dr. Zhangrui Liang, DDS, MS

Dr. Zhangrui “Zac” Liang, DDS, MS, grew up in China and has been in the US since 2015. He attended dental school in China and did his endodontic training at UCLA, where he also received a Masters of Science degree. He has practiced with Dr. Davis and Dr. Schwartz since 2022.