Apicoectomy: What Is It?
All of our teeth are held in place by roots that come from the tooth, and into the jaw. Depending on where the tooth is located in the jaw, depends on if there is one root or more. For example, front teeth usually have one root, while molars can have two or more. Nerves, blood vessels and lymphatic pathways travel through the roots of the teeth, down a canal, and into the pulp chamber, located in the visible portion of the tooth’s crown.
During an apicoectomy, the endodontist opens the gum tissue near the tooth to see the underlying bone and to remove any inflamed or infected tissue. The very end of the root is also removed in an apicoectomy. An apicoectomy may be needed when an infection develops or persists after root canal treatment, or retreatment. An apicoectomy is sometimes called endodontic microsurgery because the procedure is done under an operating microscope.
What an Apicoectomy is Used For
If a tooth becomes infected again after a root canal has been performed, it is frequently because of an issue near the apex, or tip of the root of the tooth. If the doctor and patient decide not to extract the tooth, sometimes the root canal will be retreated, or an apicoectomy will be performed. Even though there is a large debate within the complementary and alternative medicine community as to the long term side effects of a root canal, apicoectomy, and tooth extractions, these oral surgeries are common, and can be a source of pain, altered jaw function, and a source for chronic infections.
Follow-Up After an Apioectomy
Generally speaking, your doctor will prescribe certain medications, and make recommendations for what you should eat or drink after an apioectomy. Ice and rest are also frequently encouraged. Swelling, bruising, stiffness, soreness and pain are also common. According to Colgate Professional, “You may have some numbness in the area for days or weeks from the trauma of the surgery. This does not mean that nerves have been damaged. Tell your dentist about any numbness you experience. Your stitches will be removed 2 to 7 days after the procedure, and all soreness and swelling are usually gone by 14 days after the procedure.”
Oddly enough, Quantum Neurology rehabilitation is not part of the standard post-operative recommendations. Luckily for a patient in our office, we worked out a rehabilitation program prior to her apioectomy, and we were prepared to help support, and enhance the healing process.
Apioectomy Case Study
A patient in the office had a root canal on one of her front teeth, and had three previous retreatments in order to try and keep the tooth from being extracted. The fourth retreatment of the root canal consisted of the apicoectomy. The procedure was scheduled for Thursday March 6, 2014, with a follow up in our office on Friday morning, March 7, 2014. Pictures of the patient from our Friday appointment are as follows:
Apioectomy – Before Quantum Neurology – Gums
Apioectomy – Before Quantum Neurology – Swelling
Quantum Neurology Rehabilitation Following the Apioectomy
Following the apioectomy, the patient demonstrated significant swelling in the front of the mouth, as seen in the previous pictures. In our office visit, we focused on Quantum Neurology rehabilitation, and provided light therapy with the GRTLITE. Significant pain was reported upon palpation, and hypersensitivity to vibration was also present when we placed a tuning fork over the bone in the lower jaw and over her teeth. She was unable to demonstrate full range of motion with opening her jaw. A simple test for jaw range of motion is to see if you can fit three fingers within the mouth when it is opened all of the way. She was barely able to insert two fingers.
Quantum Neurology rehabilitation focuses on strengthening the neurological communication within the body. A variety of neurological assessments are measured through traditional and unique physical exam testing. An area of focus within Quantum Neurology is Cranial Nerve Rehabilitation. Following the apioectomy, this patient demonstrated a variety of weaknesses with the trigeminal nerve. Increased sensitivity in some areas, while there was diminished sensitivity in others. Testing and rehabilitating the various sensations to the skin on her face, the jawbone, and the teeth allowed her pain levels to improve quickly. The sensations that demonstrated the largest improvement were vibration, sharp/dull, and cold temperatures. In addition to rehabilitating the various skin sensations, we also focused on TMJ movement, and her upper cervical (neck) for joint misalignment.
When the patient left the Friday morning appointment, pain was minimal (1/10), her range of motion had improved, and she reported a “normal” feeling in the presence of vibration, sharp/dull, and cold temperatures, as opposed to the hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity that was reported before the Quantum Neurology rehabilitation appointment.
The patient was then issued a GRTLITE from our office, in order to continue stimulating the assigned areas over the weekend while at home.
Three Days After Quantum Neurology
We had the patient return on Monday morning for a follow-up appointment (and to get my GRTLITE back). She saw her endodontist before our appointment to have her stitches removed. The patient reported that she was feeling so good after our Friday appointment, that she did not need to use any of her pain medications that were prescribed to her by the endodontist, nor did she feel the need to use over the counter pain medications. The visible changes were excellent.
Apioectomy – After Quantum Neurology – Gums
Apioectomy – After Quantum Neurology – Swelling
Apioectomy – After Quantum Neurology – Happy Patient
Quantum Neurology rehabilitation is a safe and effective way to help patients recover from a variety of injuries, illnesses, and conditions, including post-surgery recovery. Even though Cranial Nerve Rehabilitation from Quantum Neurology is not a common recommendation for patients that have had an apioectomy, this patient’s experience shows the benefit of these gentle techniques.