Apicoectomy

Our teeth are held in place by roots that extend into our jawbone. An apicoectomy is aminor surgical procedure that removes the apex, or very tip, of the tooth’s root.

Apicoectomy is performed under local anesthesia at an endodontist’s office, and usually takes 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the location of the tooth and the complexity of the root structure. During the procedure, the endodontist cuts the gum and moves it away from the tooth in order to gain access to the tooth root. The infected tissue and the last few millimeters of the root tip are then removed. The tooth may also need to be extracted if there are large cracks or breaks within it. If the tooth is removed, the apicoectomy procedure is stopped.

Once the tip of the root has been removed, the tooth canal is cleaned and sealed to protect the tooth from future infection. An X-ray of the tooth will be taken before the tissue is sutured back into place. Over time, the bone will heal around the end of the root.

Most patients experience little-or-no discomfort during an apicoectomy. In fact, this procedure is often less invasive than the preceding root canal procedure, and involves a shorter and less painful recovery.