An apicoectomy is a minor, painless procedure that helps save your natural tooth. It is a routine surgery wherein your endodontist removes the very tip of your tooth’s root along with any infected, inflamed tissue. If you need an apicoectomy, don’t worry too much. It is a minor surgery, and we’re here to make sure you have a comfortable experience.
If we told you that you need an apicoectomy, it’s because root canal treatment was or is simply insufficient to protect your tooth from further infection. This means that an apicoectomy is your last shot at saving your natural tooth.
In the event that a cause of your symptoms cannot be discovered, surgery may be suggested so that your endodontist can clearly see the structure of the root of your tooth to gain a better understanding of the problem. Teeth are surprisingly complex, and the root canals themselves are equally complex. Each tooth’s root canals can have tiny nooks and crannies that can make cleaning them out really difficult. If your root canals are particularly complex, an apicoectomy might be your best option to prevent further infection.
In short: a quick, painless procedure.
An apicoectomy is a quick, painless surgery, and it typically takes between 30-90 minutes. Your endodontist will make an incision in your gum tissue to expose the bone and infected tissue. Your endodontist will then remove the infected tissue and the root tip. After this, he or she will place a filling to seal the root so that you do not develop a secondary infection and suture your gum tissue into place again.
If you’re concerned about why you need an apicoectomy, talk to your endodontist. We want you to have confidence in your care, and we will give you all of the information you need to make an informed decision about your care.
