The next step is usually non-surgical treatment to eliminate the diseased pulp. The injured pulp is removed and the root canal system is thoroughly cleansed and sealed. This treatment usually involves local anesthesia and may be completed in one or more visits depending on the treatment required. While there is no certainty concerning healing, successful results occur in about 90% of cases. On occasion, the chances of success may fall below this expectancy, or your tooth may not be suitable for endodontic treatment at all. If your tooth falls within one of these latter categories, you will be informed at the time of consultation, or when a complication becomes evident during or after treatment. Most patients return to their usual routine after treatment.

Generally, non-surgical treatment is all that is needed to save teeth with an injured pulp. Occasionally, this non-surgical procedure will not be sufficient to allow healing and we will recommend microsurgery. Endodontic microsurgery can be used to locate fractures or hidden canals that do not appear on x-rays but still cause pain. Damaged root surfaces and surrounding bone may also be treated with this procedure. The most common microsurgical procedure used to save damaged teeth is an "apicoectomy" or "root-end resection."