Apicoectomy
An apicoectomy is a small surgical procedure that saves a tooth when a previous root canal cannot. Performed at Arapahoe Dental.
A surgical procedure that removes the tip (apex) of a tooth's root, along with any infected tissue, to save a tooth that has not healed after a root canal.
Through a small opening in the gum at the Boulder office, the root tip is removed and the end of the root is sealed. Sedation is available if needed.
An apicoectomy preserves your natural tooth when a standard root canal or retreatment is not enough. It is often the last step before considering extraction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about apicoectomy.
An apicoectomy is for patients whose tooth still has lingering infection at the root tip after a root canal. It's a way to save the tooth when a standard retreatment isn't enough.
It's a small surgical procedure done with the area numbed. The very tip of the root and the surrounding infected tissue are removed, then the end of the root is sealed.
Most apicoectomies take under an hour, depending on which tooth is involved and how easy it is to reach.
It's usually considered after a root canal or retreatment hasn't fully resolved the problem — a last step to keep the tooth rather than extract it.
Expect some swelling and tenderness for a few days, eased with rest and the aftercare instructions you're given. Most people are back to their routine within a few days.
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