Apicoectomy

Root canal therapy is generally all that is needed to save a tooth from extraction.  However, there are occasions when after a root canal, surgery is necessary to save a tooth.  This is known as an apicoectomy or root-end resection.    An incision is made in the gum and through a curettage, any inflamed or infected tissue is removed.  The tip of the root is also removed and a root-end filling is placed to prevent reinfection of the root.  The gum is then closed with a few sutures.  The bone heals around the root over the next several months. This procedure is done usually under local anesthetic and patients can return to work immediately after the procedure.