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What Is an Apicoectomy?
An apicoectomy is a minor treatment where only the tip of a tooth root is removed. You may also hear this treatment referred to as root end surgery.
In the right circumstances, treatment has a very good success rate. The only alternative would be to remove the tooth, which is something we strive hard to avoid at NYC Dentistry Center.
Why Would I Need an Apicoectomy?
As mentioned earlier, we may recommend this treatment if you have a previously root-treated tooth that is becoming infected or inflamed at the root tip. While root canal therapy is usually very successful, there is always a small risk that the tooth can become reinfected. This may occur soon after root canal therapy or years later.
Sometimes this technique is used when treating a larger tooth, such as a back tooth, like a molar with several roots. In certain circumstances, these tooth roots can cause overcrowding and negatively affect nearby teeth, so removing the root tip can help prevent this.
What to Expect during Your Apicoectomy
Before recommending this treatment, we will take digital X-rays to examine the tooth in greater detail and determine the extent of infection and inflammation. Your digital dental X-ray is used to precisely plan your treatment.
A typical treatment can take an hour or longer to complete, depending on whether it is a front or back tooth. Below is a brief outline of what to expect, but your treatment plan is tailored to your unique oral health needs and will likely differ slightly.
Local Anesthetic
Our dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the tooth and the surrounding gum before we begin. This ensures you feel no discomfort or pain.
Exposing the Tooth Root
Your digital dental X-ray allows us to pinpoint the exact position of your tooth root in your gum, ensuring we need only a small incision to expose it and carefully remove it.
Cleaning the Root Canal
Next, using a high-powered dental microscope, we carefully clean the root canal to eliminate any infection and inflammation. After we are sure the root canal is thoroughly cleaned, we place a small filling to seal it permanently.
Digital Dental X-Ray
We will likely take a second digital X-ray to check your tooth. This is to ensure it is fully sealed and protected by the filling.
Stitching the Incision Closed
Finally, we carefully stitch the small incision in your gums closed, and healing can begin.
What to Expect after your Apicoectomy
This is a straightforward procedure, so you shouldn’t have any problems during healing. We will review the aftercare instructions with you carefully before you leave NYC Dentistry Center.
As the anesthetic wears off, you may experience mild discomfort and swelling, which should be easy to manage with over-the-counter painkillers. Because we make a small incision in your gum, you will need to take care when brushing and flossing your teeth, but it is important to practice good oral hygiene to avoid the risk of infection.
You should be fine to return to everyday activities within a couple of days, but if you are unsure, then please get in touch with us for further help and advice.
Are There Any Risks in Having an Apicoectomy?
It is highly unlikely that you will have any complications following this treatment, and it has an excellent success rate. However, any treatment has a small level of risk, one of which is infection. This is why we stress the importance of following aftercare instructions carefully and taking any antibiotics as prescribed, completing the course.
?What Happens if the Infection Recurs?
In the unlikely event that the infection returns, it may be possible to re-treat the tooth and avoid its removal. However, every situation is different, and if you have an especially persistent infection, the best way to clear it up might be to extract the tooth. Before it is removed, we can discuss how best to replace it.
If you need targeted treatment for a persistent tooth infection, an apicoectomy at NYC Dentistry Center in Midtown East may be the solution. Call our office at (212) 518-6096 or visit our dentistry center to learn more.
NYC Dentistry Center6 E 45th St #801
New York, NY 10017
(45th St. btw 5th Ave / Madison Ave)
(212) 518-6096