18555 N 79th Ave Suite A-103
Glendale, AZ 85308-8370
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What Is Apicoectomy in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery?

Posted on 5/1/2024 by Dr. Michael Allard

Dental decay can spread into the dentin or tooth pulp, causing an infection. Without treatment, the infection can escalate to the apex or root tip, resulting in complications. Standard root canal therapy can help treat and save the diseased tooth. If root canal treatment is inadequate, your oral and maxillofacial surgeon may recommend apicoectomy.

What Is Apicoectomy?

Apicoectomy is a dental procedure that treats infections on the tooth root tip or apex. It involves removing the root end and the surrounding diseased tissues from the infected tooth before adding dental fillings to save the at-risk tooth.

Who Is a Candidate for Apicoectomy?

You might be a candidate for apicoectomy if root canal therapy does not resolve infections in the tooth apex or root end. Root canal therapy is the typical treatment for complications in the tooth apex or root end. However, root canal treatment might not be sufficient to remove infections from the tooth root and the surrounding tissue. If this is the case, apicoectomy can be a practical solution.

What to Expect During an Apicoectomy Procedure

After conducting the necessary tests, our oral and maxillofacial surgeon will administer local anesthesia to numb the area and make you comfortable. We will then incise the gum tissue around the affected tooth to access the root tip. Our OMS surgeon will then remove the diseased root tip and clean the root canal before sealing it with fillings. Your surgeon will then stitch the gum and provide you with recovery guidelines. Apicoectomy is an outpatient procedure that requires a single visit. However, you might need follow-up visits so we can monitor your recovery.

Recovery and Aftercare

You might experience slight discomfort and inflammation after surgery. We will provide you with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications to prevent postoperative infections. Recovery is rapid and takes one to three days. You can resume your regular schedule after healing.

Contact Our Practice Today

Treating a diseased tooth apex requires the expertise of a qualified oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Our experienced OMS surgeons can help save your teeth from premature loss. We provide specialized apicoectomy treatment to prolong the life of your teeth and maintain oral health. Contact us today to learn more about apicoectomy and other OMS procedures.

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Arrowhead Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 18555 N 79th Ave, Suite A-103, Glendale, AZ 85308-8370, (623) 738-2564, arrowheadoralsurgery.com, 10/13/2024, Related Terms: Dental Implants Glendale AZ,