What Is a Perforation Repair?

A perforation is a hole in the crown or root of the tooth that can occur naturally as a result of internal or external resorption. A perforation can also be caused by excessive tooth structure removal during root canal preparation. Perforation repair, followed by root canal therapy, can often save the tooth.

Perforations are a way that bacteria can enter a tooth between the root canal space and the ligament that attaches a tooth to the bone. Causes of perforations include congenital tooth defects, untreated cavities or unforeseen events that occur during and after endodontic treatment. Simply, a perforation is an invasion into the structures of the tooth that causes inflammation and loss of attachment to the bone, and ultimately may compromise the long-term health of the tooth.