Microsurgery

Endodontic Microsurgery (Apicoectomy)

It’s possible that a nonsurgical root canal procedure won’t be enough to save your tooth and that your endodontist will recommend surgery. There are many surgical procedures that can be performed to save a tooth. The most common is called an apicoectomy, or root-end resection, which may be needed when inflammation or infection persists in the bony area around the end of your tooth after a root canal procedure. It may also be recommended in conjunction with a root canal retreatment. Often, the only alternative to surgery is the extraction of the tooth. The extracted tooth must then be replaced with an implant, bridge, or removable partial denture to restore chewing function and to prevent adjacent teeth from shifting. Your endodontist will discuss your options and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for you.

Endodontic Microsurgery (Apicoectomy) Explained

After providing profound local anesthesia (numbing), the endodontist opens the gum tissue near the tooth to see the underlying bone and to remove any inflamed or infected tissue.