Apicoectomy
Root-End Resection
An apicoectomy, a frequent dental procedure, removes inflamed gum tissue and the tooth's root tip while keeping the tooth's crown in situ. It acts on the root's apex, or tip, which is why the term "root-end resection" is commonly used to describe it. What is the Purpose of an Apicoectomy?
For several reasons, your dentist will perform root end surgery. The most frequent is attempting to restore a tooth that has already undergone a root canal. Root canals typically last a lifetime, but occasionally the tooth does not heal properly and becomes reinfected. To save the tooth and prevent extraction, your dentist will conduct an apicoectomy to remove the affected tissue.
Because an apicoectomy is more invasive than a standard root canal surgery, the recovery period is frequently longer and more painful. Swelling and some discomfort are typical side effects of the surgery. The first several days after surgery saw a steady decrease in postoperative pain. Over-the-counter painkillers provide ample alleviation.
Describe the process.
The technique is broken down as follows:
- Before any work is done, a local anesthetic will be administered to numb the area around the affected tooth.
- The dentist will then create a small incision in your gums surrounding the tip of the affected root. The bone will be examined and infected tissue will be removed. If necessary, they will cut off the end of the root and seal it by filling the root canal’s tip with the material.
- After that, a few stitches will be placed to aid in the gums’ healing. Your bone will gradually grow around the root with time.
Recovery following apicoectomy:
Once the anesthesia wears off, you can suffer some little discomfort and swelling. But over the next few days, it progressively becomes better, and in a day or two, you should be ready to go back to your regular activities.
To treat an ongoing infection or avoid a postoperative infection, your doctor might prescribe antibiotics. Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, should be adequate for treating pain. Within a week, stitches are often removed. While the stitches are still in place, you should use caution when cleaning and flossing close to the surgical site.
Apicoectomies are regarded as common, non-invasive dental treatments. Up to 5 years after apical surgery, over 97 percent of cases still had outstanding results, and more than 75 percent of cases had good results after 10 to 13 years, according to a 2020 study by Trusted Source.
What Are the Risks of an Apicoectomy?
Rarely, you can develop a new infection or undergo nerve damage. These are improbable side effects, but they can arise after a variety of dental treatments, not only an apicoectomy.
If an apicoectomy fails to treat symptoms or heals improperly, it is considered unsuccessful.
Keep in mind that the alternative to an apicoectomy is tooth extraction. Therefore, if your dentist suggests root tip surgery, seriously consider it.
As soon as you can, decide if you want to have an apicoectomy. Your oral health could suffer severely if an infection around one of your teeth spreads.
