Apicoectomy Treatment

An apicoectomy is a minor dental surgery that removes inflamed gum
tissue at the root tip of your tooth. The treatment can be done on
children and adults. Apicoectomy treatment can save a tooth and
potentially prevent serious complications.

Apicoectomy treatment is also known as root-end surgery or root-end
resection because it targets the root tip/apex of your tooth.

If your endodontist tells you that you need an apicoectomy it is
likely that you had a root canal procedure but your tooth has been
re-infected.

Other reasons why you may need an apicoectomy include:

• To fix tooth injuries in children

• To fix bone loss that causes loose teeth

• To remove a root that has a hole

• To remove calcium deposits in the root canal

• To search and fix problems that aren’t showing up on an
  X-ray

• To repair a fractured tooth

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

How an apicoectomy treatment is done

Apicoectomy treatment begins with an X-ray of your teeth and jaw to
allow your endodontist to see images of your root and surrounding
tissue.

Your endodontist will then numb the area and make a small cut to
access the root.

Your endodontist will then remove the infected root tip and clean the
area. A filling material is used to seal the gap and prevent future
infection.

Your endodontist may take another X-ray to make sure everything looks
good after which they can close the cut and allow healing to occur.

The procedure takes about 30 to 90 minutes depending on the location
of the infected tooth. Endodontists do everything it takes to save your
tooth. If an apicoectomy isn’t suitable for you, they’ll discuss other
treatment options with you. Speak to our endodontists.