The purpose of an apicoectomy is to save a tooth from extraction and / or infection when other non-surgical endodontic treatments have been unable to eliminate disease. An apicoectomy is the most common type of root canal surgery and involves a small incision in the gum tissue that allows access to the root tip. Once exposed, the inflamed and damaged tissue is removed along with a small portion of the root tip. A filling is then placed in the remaining root end and the incision is sutured back together.
This endodontic procedure, while slightly more invasive, is well tolerated by most patients and is a good alternative to tooth extraction. The minor discomfort experienced at the incision site during the days following the procedure can usually be managed with an over the counter pain medication. A one week re-evaluation is often indicated to evaluate the healing of the soft tissues as well as an exam at one year to monitor the healing of the space beyond the root tip
