Apexification treats a non-vital tooth with incomplete root formation — most often a young permanent tooth that was injured or decayed before its root finished developing.
The unhealthy pulp is removed and a material is placed in the root to create a hard barrier at the root tip, which then allows the canal to be filled and sealed.
Two approaches
- Calcium hydroxide stimulates hard tissue to form near the root tip. It requires several visits over a period of months.
- Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is placed at the end of the root to form the barrier, and can often be completed in a single visit.
We'll recommend the approach that best suits the tooth and the patient.