What is a hemisection?
A hemisection is the division of a multi-rooted tooth, i.e. a multi-rooted premolar or molar. Usually this is done in the area of the roots, but the section can also refer additionally to the crown part of the tooth. Depending on the initial situation, this provides the necessary support for the existing denture.
Reasons for a hemisection
As a rule, already existing prosthetic restorations are to be preserved by this step and other much more complex measures, such as placing implants (artificial tooth roots), are to be avoided. The hemisection is usually triggered by infected or destroyed root parts of the affected tooth. Measured in terms of the complete extraction (removal) of the tooth, hemisection is also to be assessed as the minimally invasive (less invasive) measure. Learn everything about the complete extraction of a tooth.
Procedure of a hemisection
A hemisection is always preceded by an ordinary root canal treatment. After the usual preparations before an operation (examination, X-ray, written consent) the patient is given a block anaesthesia. With a conduction anesthesia, the main stem of the nerve is anesthetized at the point where it disappears into the bone.
This is done with a syringe that is placed in the gums. If this procedure is unbearable for the patient due to chronic fear of tips, the corresponding gum area can also be wetted beforehand with an anaesthetic spray. The patient then only feels a pressure.
Then, as soon as the affected area is sufficiently anaesthetized, the tooth is cut straight through in the middle between the roots. This gives the option of leaving the healthy part of the tooth intact. The diseased half of the tooth, including the root, can now be extracted.
For example, a crown can now be placed on the remaining partial tooth. It was previously subjected to root canal treatment, so that it now serves only as a kind of pillar or abutment for the corresponding prosthetics.
