What is Apicoectomy?

Conditions that require an apicoectomy include:

• Uncleaned root canal blocked by a fractured file that can not be removed.
• Fracture or crack on the tooth roots.
• Badly curved root canal obstructing endodontic files from reaching the root tip.
• Several small branches at the sides of the root canal that can not be cleaned and sealed.
• Severe pain after root canal procedure indicating treatment failure.
• Other conditions that obstruct healing.

Before the procedure, the dentist will usually prescribe anti-inflammatory medication and/or antibiotics. X-rays of the problem area are needed for the dentist to plan correctly the procedure.

• The area is numbed with a strong dose of a local anesthetic.
• The dentist will first cut the gum and lift it away from the tooth so that the root is easily accessible. Some of the jaw bone around the root may have to be removed to expose the root tip.
• The edge of the root tip up to the problem area is removed, along with any infected surrounding tissues (connective tissue or/and jaw bone).
• If needed, the final 3-4 mm of the root canal are cleaned using ultrasonic instruments and filled with a biocompatible material. This type of filling placed at the end of the root is called a retrofill.
• Finally the gum tissue is placed back in place over the root and sutured with a few stitches.

To improve the apicoectomy success rate, the procedure is usually performed by the endodontist or oral surgeon with the help of a microscope, which helps the dentist to achieve higher precision (for that reason it is also called endodontic microsurgery). The duration of the procedure depends on the type of tooth involved and may be from 30 to 90 minutes. Normally after a successful apicoectomy any signs of infection will disappear and the bone tissue around the root tip will heal within a few months. An infection that persists after the surgery is indicating an apicoectomy that failed.

Follow up clinical examinations and x-rays are necessary to confirm the success of an apicoectomy procedure. The apicoectomy may be the last chance for a tooth to avoid extraction, but in general the long-term prognosis for a tooth is significantly reduced when an apicoectomy is needed.

Apicoectomy success rate is high if performed by a skilled endodontist, but as in all surgery procedures there is always a risk of complications and failure. Possible apicoectomy complications are similar to those of the initial root canal treatment. In case of a failed apicoectomy, the tooth will have to be extracted.

While apicoectomies are considered as surgical procedures they cause minor discomfort. Apicoectomy recovery is usually quick and without complications. Some soreness, swelling and pain are absolutely normal after the apicoectomy surgery. Stitches are removed 2 to 7 days after the procedure, and all soreness and swelling are usually gone by 14 days after the procedure.

Some useful instructions to relieve discomfort, help healing and minimize apicoectomy recovery time are:

• To minimize swelling, place ice packs to the side of face where surgery was performed for 12 hrs.
• Follow your dentist’s instructions regarding any medications prescribed (anti-inflammatory, antibiotics or pain killers)
• To allow faster healing avoid brushing the area, vigorous mouth rinsing or eating crunchy or hard foods.
• Reduce physical activity and rest after the procedure. No smoking for at least 2 days.
• Avoid touching the wound area following surgery.
• Good oral hygiene is essential to proper healing of any oral surgery site.

In most cases, the apicoectomy recovery time will not exceed two weeks. Any sign of remaining infection after this period indicates a failed apicoectomy.

The cost of an apicoectomy procedure can be significant (>1000$) depending on the position of the tooth to be treated, but it is the only way to save a tooth after a failed root canal re-treatment. Even as an alternative to root canal re-treatment, it is often quicker and more cost effective to do an apicoectomy and retrofill than to remove and replace a post, core, and crown in order to repeat the root canal treatment.

The cost involved with apicoectomy is significant and many patients may not afford it if they are not covered by their dental insurance. Learn how to choose a dental insurance plan that will help you provide the best dental treatment to yourself and your family.