An apicoectomy is a dental surgery that can save your tooth when a root canal doesn’t work. This procedure removes the tip of your tooth’s root and any infected tissue around it. Many people have never heard of this treatment, but it helps thousands of patients keep their natural teeth every year.

What Is an Apicoectomy?

An apicoectomy is also called root end surgery or root end resection. During this procedure, your dentist or oral surgeon removes the very end of your tooth’s root. The word “apex” means tip, and “ectomy” means to remove. So apicoectomy means removing the tip of the root.

Your dentist might suggest this surgery if you had a root canal that didn’t fully heal. Sometimes infections stay at the root tip even after root canal treatment. The apicoectomy removes this infected area so your tooth can finally heal.

What to Expect During Your Apicoectomy

Before the procedure, our team will take X-rays to see your tooth and plan the surgery. You’ll talk about your medical history and any medicines you take. Our dentists will explain what will happen and answer your questions. Most patients feel much better after understanding the process.

Important: Tell your dentist about all medications you take and any health conditions you have. This helps them plan the safest treatment for you.

The apicoectomy usually takes between 30 and 90 minutes. Here’s what you can expect:

• Getting comfortable: First, your dentist gives you local anesthesia to numb the area. You won’t feel pain during the procedure.
• Apicoectomy process: Next, the dentist makes a small cut in your gum to reach the bone and root tip. They remove a few millimeters from the end of the root. Then they clean out any infected tissue around the area.
• Final Steps: once the procedure is complete, your dentist places a small filling at the end of the root. This seals the root canal from the end. Finally, they stitch the gum back in place. The stitches usually dissolve on their own in a few days.
• After the Procedure:
  You can go home the same day. Your mouth will feel numb for a few hours. You might have some swelling and discomfort for a few days. Most people feel much better after three or four days.

We will give you instructions for caring for your mouth. We might prescribe pain medicine and antibiotics. Ice packs help reduce swelling. Eat soft foods for the first few days and avoid the surgery area when brushing.

Most people return to work the next day. Complete healing takes a few months, but you won’t notice this happening. Your dentist will check your progress at follow-up visits.

Benefits of an Apicoectomy

Keeping your natural tooth is almost always better than pulling it. Your natural tooth root helps keep your jawbone strong. It also maintains proper spacing between your teeth. An apicoectomy is a “second chance” for your tooth. It is a solution after the failure of a root canal. Our team will evaluate your tooth and your overall oral health to be sure this procedure is right for you.

Save Your Natural Tooth

The biggest benefit is keeping your real tooth. Losing a tooth can cause other problems. Your other teeth might shift, and your jawbone can get weaker. An apicoectomy lets you keep your natural tooth and avoid these issues.

High Success Rate

Apicoectomy procedures work well for most patients. Studies show success rates between 85% and 97%. This means most people who get this surgery keep their tooth for many years.

Less Expensive Than Tooth Replacement

Getting a dental implant or bridge costs more than an apicoectomy. Saving your tooth with this procedure saves you money in the long run. You also avoid multiple dental visits needed for tooth replacement.

Quick Recovery

Most patients recover quickly from apicoectomy surgery. You’ll feel better in just a few days. The procedure is less invasive than pulling a tooth and getting an implant.

Stops Infection

The surgery removes infected tissue that won’t heal on its own. This stops the infection from spreading to other areas. You’ll feel relief from pain and pressure caused by the infection.

Is an Apicoectomy Right for You?

Our endodontists at Main Line will help you decide if this procedure is your best option. An apicoectomy is effective when a regular root canal cannot be repeated. It’s also good for teeth with curved roots or posts that can’t be removed.

Discuss your specific situation with our team. They can explain whether an apicoectomy will help you keep your tooth. Ask about success rates and what to expect for your particular case.