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Procedures | Endodontic Microsurgery

Apicoectomy is the dental term for Endodontic surgery.

Why would I need an Apicoectomy?

To prevent tooth loss, root canal therapy is often all that is needed to save teeth with a diseased pulp. Occasionally, root canal therapy will not be sufficient to heal the tooth and your endodontist will recommend either revisional therapy or endodontic surgery. Endodontic surgery can be used to treat conditions that are inaccessible to conventional therapy. Damaged and/or infected root surfaces and the surrounding bone may also be treated with surgery. The most common surgery used to save damaged teeth is an apicoectomy or root-end resection.

What is an Apicoectomy?

An incision is made in the gum tissue to expose the root and surrounding inflamed tissue. The damaged tissue is removed along with the infected end of the root tip. A root-end filling is placed to seal the root canal and prevent re-infection of the root canal space. The gum tissue is then sutured back into place, allowing the bone to naturally heal around the root over a period of months restoring full function.

Following the procedure there may be some discomfort and/or swelling while the incision heals. This is normal for any surgical procedure. To alleviate any discomfort, an appropriate pain medication will be prescribed. If you have pain that does not respond to medication, please contact our office.