Immature Apices Management
Setting the right foundations for your child's teeth:
Immature apices is a relatively common condition among children. Outcomes when dealing with immature apices are not always predictable. On occasion, dental anomalies such as dens evaginatus or dens invaginatus present a unique challenge.
However, our doctors are leading authorities in treating and managing immature apices and can help your child using several of the latest treatment methods. Schedule a consultation with our dental experts and get a specialist’s diagnosis and recommendation on the best course of action.
Leading Experts of Endodontics
Our doctors, Dr. Mindo Lee, Dr. Stephen Park, and Dr. Doo Yong Lim, are renown experts of endodontics in Los Angeles. With over 45 years of combined experience with dentistry and immature apices management, we can provide you expert diagnoses and treatments.
If your child gets an infection in his/her tooth before the roots are fully formed, call our office. We guarantee that your child will have a pleasant and comfortable experience at our office with our friendly doctors and staff!
Sophisticated Dental Technology
Meets Excellence in Patient Care
Sophisticated Dental Technology
Meets Excellence in Patient Care
As specialists of endodontics, we have invested heavily into state-of-the-art robotics, technology, and the latest surgical trainings specific to endodontic procedures. Therefore, we are able to provide a level of treatment that general dentists simply cannot provide.
At Los Angeles Center for Endodontics, we have an amazing team of highly trained dental professionals who have your health and well-being at heart. Our doctors and staff are here to provide you excellence care with the utmost comfort in our practice.
Friendly Staff
Advanced Technology
Relaxing Atmosphere
Get a fractured tooth consultation with us
– Get an expert diagnosis and fully understand what your options are.
– Get an expert recommendation for what to do next.
- Get an expert diagnosis and fully understand what your options are.
- Get an expert recommendation for what to do next.
Parent's Testimonials
Bottom line, I would go back again, and refer him to friends and families w/ children(kids). You don't see many working with children or even experienced with them.
When you think of dentist, endodontist specifically, you think of cold, sterile place, this place is actually very warm and nice and as uncomfortable a procedure may seem, they make it very comfortable! Thanks for finally opening up your own practice so we can go straight to you!
Very professional people Dr lee helped my son
I'm very very happy with their service thank you
Frequently Asked Questions About Fractured Tooth Management
What is immature apices management?
There are a variety of reasons for infection in the root of a tooth. In children, one of the most common reasons is known as immature apices. In this situation, conventional root canal treatment usually is not an option, because the outcomes when dealing with immature apices are not as predictable. Often, these patients have traumatized anterior (front) teeth or carious exposures in the posterior (back). On occasion, dental anomalies such as dens evaginatus or dens invaginatus present a unique challenge. We specialize in treating and managing immature apices. The most common procedures we use in this treatment include:
- Apexogenesis
- Apexification
- Revascularization
What does “immature apices” mean?
The apex of the tooth is the tip of the root. Your front teeth only have one apex at the end of the single root, while molars have multiple roots that form an apical foramen. So, the “apices” are referring to the plural form of the teeth with multiple roots. To better understand the anatomy of the tooth, see the diagram below. As seen in the diagram, the tooth apices are at the roots of the tooth.
While teeth are maturing, the apices are open. The tooth apices do not close until the teeth fully develop. So immature apices are referring to teeth that still need to develop to fully close the apices. Immature apices are most common in children or people under the age of 18.
How do you treat immature apices?
Conventional root canal treatment is usually not the best treatment for immature teeth. The reason for this is because outcomes are not as predictable as they are with mature teeth. This is why general dentists usually refer these patients to endodontists. Endodontists are experts in treating infection in the root. They also use additional treatment options to deal with immature apices such as apexogenesis or apexification that may be better suited as treatment. These treatment options help to improve the chance of saving the tooth.
How does apexogenesis work?
Apexogenesis is a procedure that encourages the root to continue development as the pulp is healed. The endodontist places medication on the soft tissue to encourage the development. The walls of the root canal will thicken as the child gets older. If the pulp heals, no additional treatment will be necessary. If the pulp is unhealthy, then most dentists recommend apexification.
How does apexification work?
In the process of apexification, the endodontist removes the unhealthy pulp. They then place medication into the root to help a hard tissue form near the root tip. This provides a barrier for the root canal filling. The tooth will not continue to develop, making the tooth susceptible to fracture.
Schedule a Consultation
If your child gets an infection in his/her tooth before the roots are fully formed, call our office. Our doctors will be able to do a full evaluation and give you the best recommendation for the appropriate treatment.
