Apexification and Apexogenesis

Traumatic injuries can occur while playing sports, as the result of a bad fall, or following a car accident. When the injury happens to a child whose permanent tooth is not fully developed, the root may stop growing. If the pulp is damaged by injury, or if a tooth is knocked out of its socket, we could possibly save the tooth through apexification or apexogenesis.

Apexification

Because children’s permanent teeth are still developing, the tip of the root, or apex, is still open and the root canal walls are thin. As the tooth matures, the apex closes and the root canal walls thicken. If injury occurs, the growth of the tooth can be  stopped. With apexification, we encourage a calcified barrier to form over the open apex of the immature tooth. By removing unhealthy pulp and placing medication into the root, hard tissue forms near the root tip and acts a barrier for the root canal filling. This treatment does cause the root canal walls to stop developing, so the tooth becomes susceptible to fractures and will need to be properly restored by your general dentist.

Apexogenesis

Apexogenesis can save an injured tooth by encouraging continued root development while the pulp heals. By covering the soft tissue with medication to support growth, the tooth will continue to mature naturally as the apex closes and root canal walls thicken. We will monitor your child’s tooth to be sure the pulp is healing properly. If all goes well, and the pulp of the tooth heals, your child might not need further endodontic treatment.

At Surad Speciality Dental Centre, we’re committed to your comfort and well-being as much as your oral health. We can restore your smile with gentle, conservative endodontic treatment.