Apicoectomy Treatment

An apicoectomy is a minor dental procedure done to save a tooth that
has an infected root tip. The procedure removes inflamed gum tissue at
the end of the root. This area is known as the apex of your tooth.
Apicoectomy treatment is also known as a root-end resection.

Difference between root canal treatment and
apicoectomy

Both procedures are meant to save a tooth however the root canal
procedure is used to remove infections in the pulp of your tooth while
an apicoectomy removes infections at the root end. An apicoectomy is
usually completed after a root canal to fix the root.

Why you may need an apicoectomy:

Your endodontist may recommend an apicoectomy for a few reasons.

• To fix a tooth that had a failed root canal procedure

• To remove calcium deposits in the root canal

• To find and treat problems that aren’t showing up on an
  X-ray

• To treat a fracture

• To treat a tooth with extra roots that can’t be treated another
  way

• To treat bone loss that causes loose teeth

• To remove a root that has a hole

How an apicoectomy treatment is performed:

Your endodontist will do an X-ray of your teeth and jaw to get images
of the root and surrounding tissue.

Your endodontist will then numb the area and make a small cut to
examine the bone and remove infected tissue.

Your endodontist may remove the root tip, clean the area, use a
filling to fill in the gap, and seal it. They will then stitch the cut
and allow your gum to heal.

An apicoectomy procedure is not painful but causes a little
discomfort. It does not require a hospital stay and you can resume your
activities after 24 hours of rest. Our endodontists require between 30
and 90 minutes to perform the procedure, depending on the location of
the tooth. Call us if you need more information about apicoectomy
treatment.