Apicoectomy

Apicoectomy is a surgical procedure that follows the non-surgical process of denervation, in cases that the latter procedure is not capable to save the tooth.

At the apicoectomy, the dentist will lift the gum to reveal the tooth that is inflamed. He will alienate the infected tissue and remove a small part from the tip of the root. He will then use a bio-compatible material to seal the end of the root to prevent further contamination of the root canal. This material has also the ability to stimulate the body’s cells to regenerate the damaged bone. Apicoectomy may be needed in the following cases:

• The tooth has a very small fracture or canal that cannot be detected on the x-ray but causes you persistent discomfort. In this case, the dentist will operate to detect the problem and correct it.
• If the tooth is calcified, i.e., the calcium deposits make the root canal too narrow and do not allow the dentist to intervene and clean it thoroughly, surgery may be needed to clean and seal the remaining root canal.
• Usually, a tooth that has undergone a root canal treatment will not bother you again for the rest of your life. But if you feel pain, months or even years after a successful treatment, then the dentist will have to surgically operate to save your tooth.