Endodontic Microsurgery / Apicoectomy

What is Endodontic Microsurgery (Apicoectomy) and How Does the Procedure Work?

In this procedure, also known as a “root-end resection”, our endodontist opens the gum tissue near the tooth, allowing us to carefully access the root tip, remove any infected tissue, and clean the area thoroughly. After cleaning, we seal the root tip with a special material to prevent future infections. A few stitches or sutures are placed in the gingiva to help the tissue heal properly. Over months, the bone heals around the end of the root.

Generally, the only alternative to endodontic surgery is extraction of the affected tooth. It must then be replaced with a bridge, a removable partial denture or an implant to restore proper chewing and to prevent adjacent teeth from shifting. Because these alternative procedures usually require dental procedures on adjacent healthy teeth, endodontic surgery is usually the most cost-effective approach when faced with a root infection.

Why Might You Need an Apicoectomy?

• Persistent Pain or Infection: If you’re still experiencing pain or swelling after a root canal, it could mean that the infection wasn’t fully cleared or that new problems have developed.
• Complex Root Anatomy: Sometimes, the roots of a tooth have complex shapes that are hard to clean completely with a standard root canal. Calcium deposits make a canal too narrow for the instruments used in nonsurgical root canal treatment to reach the end of the root. If your tooth has this “calcification,” our endodontist may perform endodontic surgery to clean and seal the remainder of the canal.
• Previous Treatment Failures: If a previous root canal didn’t work as intended, an apicoectomy can provide a solution to save the tooth.

If you’re dealing with persistent dental issues after a root canal, endodontic microsurgery might be the solution you need. Contact NVOMSA today to schedule your consultation and learn how apicoectomy can help save your tooth and restore your smile.