Apicoectomy: Things You Need To Know

You may have heard about root canal treatment. It is the traditional treatment in which the infected pulp is removed from the pulp chamber of the tooth in order to prevent infection from spreading into the tooth’s root area and further into the jawbone.

Root canal treatments are generally successful for most of the people. However, there can be a scenario in which the area gets infected again. It usually happens when infected debris is not cleared from the tooth. This debris can prevent proper healing of the surgery site. The treatment you can go for in this regard is known as apicoectomy.

Reason your dentist may decide to perform apicoectomy

Apicoectomy is an endodontic surgery which is performed when traditional root canal treatment fails to remove entire infection from the area. Those remnants of dead nerves and tissues can lead to re-infection mainly in the tooth’s root’s tip, which is called apex.

Apicoectomy mainly refers to the treatment of problem by removing the apex and infected area surrounding the apex. This procedure is not the simple one. This is the reason that dentists do not recommend it until they are sure that it remains to the only option in the end. The major benefit of this treatment is that it can help preserving the tooth which otherwise needs to be extracted.

Things involved in the procedure of apicoectomy

The procedure first involves an incision which is made in the gum near the infected tooth. This incision gives dentist the access to infected tooth and the surrounding infected tissues. Dentist then uses microscope and special tools to remove the infected area along with the end of the root tip. The end of the canal is then cleaned and sealed after the procedure is complete. Small fitting is then placed at the end of the canal to finish the process. This fitting helps in prevention of re-infection. Gum tissue is also sealed to ensure proper initiation of healing process. After the surgery is complete, the bone tissues around the tooth root start healing. Your tooth is going to regain complete function once the bone is properly healed.

Recovery after Apicoectomy

After the surgery, your dentist is going to give you instructions about how to ensure proper recovery. You will be prescribed medications and you will be told to eat or avoid certain foods. There is normally going to be swelling and numbness in the first couple of months so it is nothing to worry about. You can apply ice on the face skin above the surgery site to get relief from the pain and swelling.