AboutJoel S. Teig, DMD, FABOMS Expertise I am a board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon and I am available to answer questions related to tooth extractions, implant insertion, facial recontruction, facial and oral tumor removal, TMJ dysfunction and various successful treatments, including surgery if all else fails, and occlusal discrepancy requiring orthognathic or jaw surgery.
Experience Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon practicine for over 20 years. Assistant Clincal Professor and State University School of Dentistry.
Organizations American Dental Association, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Education/Credentials BA
DMD
Awards and Honors National Honor Society (OKU), Philadelphia County Dental Society, Mosby Book Award, Oral Surgery Honors, Summa Cum Laude
Question I guess I should say that I had failed root canal on this tooth.
I have heard various opinions about performing apiectomy on this tooth. I understood that due to risks associated with the location of this tooth apiectomy should not be performed.
Do you agree with this notion?
thank you.
Answer Paul - It is true that an apicoectomy on tooth #18 can be difficult. In the region of the surgery, the ends of the roots of tooth #18 can have a close relationship with the sinus and a nerve on the palate that provides sensation to the palatal tissue. There are ways to perform the surgery and decrease the chances of problems, but the doctor needs to be surgical skilled and have experience with doing the apicoectomy with that tooth. So it can be performed, but a skillful and knowledgeable surgeon needs to be used. As such, I suggest that you get examined by a board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Not all surgeons are skilled in this procedure, but finding a local board certified one give you the best chance to speak with a surgeon who knows what really is best for you.
I wish I could be more specific as to which doctor is best, but not all surgeons are comfortable with this surgery. If you have additional questions, feel free to contact me again.
