Although modern dentistry offers amazing artificial tooth restoration options, nothing is as good as a functional natural tooth. Your endodontist may recommend you have a surgical procedure known as an apicoectomy to save your natural tooth if you’ve had a root canal treatment that hasn’t been entirely successful.
Since an apicoectomy differs from a standard root canal treatment, it helps to know what to expect. Here are a few quick facts about the surgery and its impact on your oral health.
Having an Apicoectomy: What You Need To Know
- What it is: An apicoectomy is surgery on the end of your tooth root (also known as the apex). The infected tooth root is removed and a small filling placed to prevent further problems. Dr. Allen of the Phoenix Endodontic Group explains that during an apicoectomy, “Your endodontist will make an incision on your gum tissue to move it out of the way temporarily. Then they will perform microsurgery on the end of the roots and put the gum tissue back into place.”
- Why it is needed: You may need an apicoectomy because the tooth that received a root canal treatment has complex roots. The surgery may also need to be performed because the tooth in question has a crown or a bridge and retreatment of the root would require the cutting through the restoration.
- Preparation for the procedure: Before your apicoectomy, your endodontist will take X-rays of the tooth and surrounding bone. You may be given an antimicrobial mouth rinse, a medicine to reduce inflammation, and/or antibiotics to get your mouth in the best possible condition for the surgery.
- Post-apicoectomy recovery: For the first 12 hours, you’ll want to apply ice packs to the side of the face near the affected area – 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off. Avoid eating crunchy or hard foods for the first few days. Dr. Allen advises, “There is minimal discomfort after apical surgery, but there can be some swelling. That can be minimized with ice packs.” You should recover from the procedure within two weeks. Eventually, the bone heals around the end of the root.
Dr. Allen concludes, “Apicoectomies give patients with tooth root infections another chance to save their tooth. It is the most biologic and cost-effective option for maintaining your oral health.”