Short Description
A minor surgery that removes the tip of a tooth’s root and surrounding infected tissue after a failed root canal.
Long Description
An apicoectomy is a minor oral surgery that removes the apex (tip) of a tooth’s root along with surrounding infected tissue. It’s typically performed when a root canal treatment fails to completely eliminate infection or inflammation in the area.
During the procedure, the gum is opened near the affected tooth, the tip of the root is trimmed, and the area is cleaned. A small filling is often placed to seal the end of the canal. This helps preserve the natural tooth and prevents reinfection.
Apicoectomies are most commonly done by endodontists and are considered a last resort to save a tooth before extraction becomes necessary. With proper care, the tooth can continue to function normally for years.