Apicoectomy Treatment

An apicoectomy may have many names such as root-end resection,
root-end surgery, or root-end refilling. Simply put, it is a dental
procedure that removes the apex of your tooth’s root to avoid the
further spread of infection.

Done by an endodontist, an apicoectomy procedure is usually another
way of saving a tooth that has suffered a root canal failure. The two
procedures are similar but each has its own suitability, as described
below.

Apicoectomy vs. Root Canal

Root canal treatment targets infections within the pulp of your
tooth. Your pulp is under the gum line. It hosts blood vessels, nerves,
and connective tissue. When the pulp gets infected by decay, injury, or
for other reasons, a root canal treatment is administered.

An apicoectomy, on the other hand, targets your tooth’s root tip and
removes the infected part.

If your endodontist tells you that you need an apicoectomy it is
likely that you had a root canal procedure that failed.

Other reasons why you may need an apicoectomy include:

• Your root has a hole

• Your tooth was fractured down to the root

• You have a case of bone loss that could make your teeth become
  loose

• You have calcium deposits in the root canal

• You have pain but the problem isn’t detectable via an
  X-ray

• You have a tooth that has extra roots

What to expect with an apicoectomy treatment

During an apicoectomy treatment, your endodontist accesses your
tooth’s root through the gum via a surgical approach. Your endodontist
will first do an X-ray to make images of your teeth, jaw, and
surrounding tissue.

Your endodontist will then numb the area and make a small cut on the
gum to access the root directly and remove a few millimeters of the
infected tip.

After removing the infected root tip, your endodontist will clean the
area using dental technology equipment such as fiber optic lights,
operating microscopes, and ultrasonic instruments. A filling material is
then used to seal the root to prevent future infection.

Your endodontist may take another X-ray to ensure the procedure was
successful. They’ll then stitch the cut to allow your root and gum to
heal.

After the procedure, light bleeding may occur. You may also
experience discomfort for a few days. Your endodontist may prescribe
antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs to manage infection and
pain.

Do you suspect that you may be a candidate for apicoectomy? Discuss
your concerns with our endodontists today.