Apicectomy

If a root canal treatment does not eliminate infection from your tooth, we may recommend an apicectomy. This minor surgical procedure removes a small portion of the root’s apex (tip), together with any surrounding tissue that has become infected. Because a microscope and small specialty tools are required, apicectomy are a form of endodontic microsurgery.

Reasons for needing an apicectomy include:

• Irregularities in the tooth structure
• Canals that are blocked or otherwise inaccessible
• A fracture in the root

Due to its complexity, this microsurgery is usually recommended only after root canals have failed to treat the problem.

How are apicoectomies performed?

After the treatment area is numbed and you are completely comfortable, your dentist will make a small incision in the gum to access the infected area. The infected tissue is then cleared away, along with part of the root’s tip. After examining the canals with a microscope, we will clean them out, fill them, and then seal them off with a small filling. Before the gum tissue is sutured closed, a small bone graft may be applied to the treatment area,

Afterwards, you may experience some minor pain and swelling, but any discomfort is easily controlled by over the counter painkillers.

If a fracture is discovered during the procedure, we may recommend extracting the tooth in lieu of completing the apicectomy. This will be a last resort, however, as our goal is to help you preserve your natural teeth for as long as possible.

For more information about apicectomy or to schedule a consultation, contact Oatlands Dental Lounge today.