What is it?

An apicoectomy is a surgical procedure used to preserve damaged teeth by removing inflamed or infected tissue from the tooth’s root(s).

When is it needed? Risks of not getting it done

Occasionally, root canal treatment of an infected tooth is not sufficient to completely eliminate the infected tissue.

An apicoectomy is highly recommended for a tooth that is infected despite having undergone previous root canal treatment, and, often, at least one root canal retreatment.

This procedure can be necessary to locate fractures or hidden canals that do not appear on x-rays but still cause pain in the tooth.

Damaged root surfaces or surrounding bone may also be treated with this procedure.

How is it done?

1. A small incision is made in the gum tissue to expose the bone and surrounding inflamed tissue.
2. The damaged tissue is removed along with the end of the root tip, which is sealed by composite filling material to prevent reinfection of the tooth’s root.
3. Lastly, the gum tissue is sutured.
4. The bone naturally heals around the composite root filling over a period of months, restoring the tooth to full function.