Medigy: Apexification

Apexification is a dental procedure used to treat a condition called open apex, which occurs when the tip of a tooth’s root (the apex) has not fully formed and hardened. This can happen in immature permanent teeth that have suffered trauma or infection.

The procedure’s main goal is to encourage the formation of a hard tissue called the apical barrier at the tip of the root, which will allow the tooth to be treated with a root canal in the future. It is typically performed on teeth that are too immature for a traditional root canal procedure.

The apexification procedure is usually done in stages, starting with the removal of infected or necrotic tissue from the tooth’s root canal. Then, the dentist will place a medicament, such as calcium hydroxide, into the canal and cover it with a temporary filling. The medicament is left in place for a period of time, usually between 4 to 6 weeks, to encourage the formation of a hard tissue barrier at the apex of the tooth.

The dentist will then repeat the process of cleaning the canal, placing medicament, and temporary filling until the barrier is formed. After that, a permanent filling and a crown can be placed to restore the tooth’s function.

Overall, Apexification is a dental procedure used to treat an open apex, a condition that occurs when the tip of a tooth’s root has not fully formed and hardened. It is performed in stages and its main goal is to encourage the formation of a hard tissue barrier at the tip of the root, which will allow the tooth to be treated with a root canal in the future.