Apicectomy in Sevenoaks
An apicectomy is a type of endodontic surgery used to treat infection or inflammation around the tip of a tooth root when conventional root canal treatment has not fully resolved the problem or when further root canal treatment is not suitable.
At Sevenoaks Dental & Implant Centre, an apicectomy may be considered when preserving the natural tooth is still a realistic treatment option. Your dentist will assess the tooth, review any relevant X-rays and discuss the available treatment options with you before recommending surgery.
If you have been told that you have a persistent infection following root canal treatment, an apicectomy may be one of the treatment options available to you.
What Is an Apicectomy?
An apicectomy, also known as root-end surgery, is a procedure that treats infection or inflammation around the end of a tooth root.
During the procedure, the dentist or endodontic clinician accesses the area around the root tip, removes the affected tissue and a small part of the root end, and seals the end of the root.
The aim is to remove the source of persistent infection while retaining the natural tooth where this is clinically achievable.
Why Might I Need an Apicectomy?
An apicectomy may be considered when infection around the end of a tooth root continues after previous root canal treatment.
It may also be considered when conventional root canal re-treatment is not practical or when access to the existing root filling would be difficult.
Whether an apicectomy is appropriate depends on the condition of the tooth, the previous treatment, the position of the tooth and the surrounding bone and tissues.
What are the benefits of an apicectomy?
An apicectomy reduces the risk of infection spreading – By removing the infection you can prevent further damage to your oral health.
An apicectomy reduces discomfort – you will not experience any discomfort when talking, eating, or drinking.
An apicectomy saves the tooth – There is no need for the infected tooth to be completed extracted