What is an Apioectomy

There are times when root canal therapy simply isn’t enough to clean out all of the infected tissue. If this is the case, you may be in need of an apicoectomy” What’s that you may ask? Let me tell you!

An apicoectomy will only be considered after the patient has already undergone a root canal and does not have the option of retreatment. The procedure can also be referred to as endodontic microsurgery, because it is often performed under a microscope. The up close and personal approach allows for the endodontist to see the area more clearly and increases the chance of a successful procedure.

During standard root canal treatment, we clean the canals, which allows for blood and nerve vessels to travel to the pulp chamber, and we remove the infected tissue. Root canals can be very complicated, for there are many branches off of the main canal, and sometimes hard-to-reach, infected tissue can remain in these branches. This could possibly prevent healing or could cause the pulp to get infected again. This is why patients who need retreatment may be the perfect candidates for endodontic microsurgery, or an apicoectomy.

In an apicoectomy, the root tip and infected tissue are removed and a filling is placed over the root tip. Your endodontist will then place a few stitches in the gums to allow for healing. A few weeks after the procedure, your bone will heal around the root tip.

This is a safe and effective procedure and is only recommended when root canal retreatment is no longer an option. We want to do everything we can to preserve your natural tooth for as long as possible!

Please call us today to find out more about what endodontists do and get your tooth pain taken care of, once and for all!