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What is an Apicoectomy?
The above diagram illustrates the procedure. An incision is made in the gum tissue to expose the root and surrounding inflamed tissue. The damaged tissue is removed along with the end of the root tip. A root-end filling is placed to prevent reinfection of the root and the gum is sutured. The bone naturally heals around the root over a period of months restoring full function.
Following the procedure there may be some discomfort or swelling while the incision heals. This is normal for any surgical procedure. To alleviate any discomfort, an appropriate pain medication will be recommended. If you have pain that does not respond to medication, please call our office.
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To prevent extraction, root canal treatment is all that is usually needed to save teeth with injured pulp. Occasionally, root canal therapy will not be sufficient to heal the tooth and your endodontist will recommend surgery. Endodontic surgery can be used to locate fractures or hidden canals that do not appear on x-rays, but still cause pain in the tooth. Damaged root surfaces or the surrounding bone may also be treated with surgery. The most common surgery used to save damaged teeth is an apicoectomy or root-end resection.