Apicoectomy Surgery

What is the Difference Between an Apicoectomy and Root Canal Surgery?

An apicoectomy differs from root canal surgery.

In a root canal procedure, the dentist opens up your tooth to remove infected pulp. Pulp refers to the soft tissue inside your tooth, made up of nerves, blood vessels and cells that keep your teeth healthy and functioning. When this becomes infected, a root canal is required to remove the damage, clean the roots and seal the tooth.

An apicoectomy only removes the tooth's root tip and is often performed when a root canal treatment has already been done on the tooth.

The Purpose of an Apicoectomy

An apicoectomy is performed in order to save the tooth and avoid having to extract it. There are a few different reasons why your dentist might recommend that you have an apicoectomy.

The most common reason for an apicoectomy is if you’ve already had a root canal, but the area surrounding the tooth didn’t heal properly and the tissue has become reinfected or damaged. There could also be residual inflammation or infection that wasn’t cleared by the root canal. In this case, an apicoectomy would be required to remove the tip of the root and the surrounding infected tissue in order to prevent further complications.

An apicoectomy might also be recommended in order to:

• Locate the source of a problem that isn’t showing up on an X-ray (such as a loose tooth or a fracture)
• Remove roots that are overcrowding each other
• Treat damaged root surfaces

The Apicoectomy Procedure

The procedure for an apicoectomy will take 30-90 minutes, depending on the location of the tooth and how easy it is to access its roots. You should not feel any pain during the procedure.

Preparation

An X-ray might be taken of your mouth prior to the surgery to help the dentist visualise where the infected roots are and whether any of the surrounding tissue will need to be removed as well.

Immediately before the surgery, local anaesthetic will be administered to numb the area inside your mouth.

Apicoectomy Surgery

Using microsurgical instruments Dr Yoganathan will access your damaged tooth root by making a small cut in the gums and then pushing the gum tissue aside to clear a path to the root. She will then remove any inflamed tissue and infected root tip fragments. Usually only a few millimetres of the root will need to be removed as well as any inflamed or infected tissue.

Once she has cleaned the area thoroughly she will place a root end filling, to seal the root and prevent reinfection. The incision in the gums will be closed with a few stitches. Another X-ray might be taken after the procedure to ensure there’s no remaining infection.

Post-Apicoectomy Recovery and Care

This procedure should not cause any major discomfort and can be done in a dentist’s office. There is no general anaesthetic required, so you should be able to drive yourself home immediately afterwards.

Following the procedure, there may be some discomfort or slight swelling while the area heals. This is normal for any surgical procedure, and to aid you in pain management we will guide you on the best medications and precautions to follow whilst healing is taking place.

You may experience some minor bleeding for 1-2 hours after the procedure so it’s best to rest with your head elevated to slow down the blood flow. Depending on the recommendation of your dentist, you might take over the counter pain medication if you wish, and your dentist may recommend that you also take antibiotics in order to prevent a postoperative infection.

You should brush and floss normally but be careful around the treated area so that you don’t disturb the stitches. You should gently rinse your mouth out with warm salty water to wash away any excess bacteria. You should be able to return to normal activities after a day or two and the stitches will be removed within a week.

Apicoectomy Risks and Complications

There are very few risks associated with an apicoectomy, especially when performed by an experienced dentist. Some possible complications include:

• Further infection - depending on the location of the tooth, the infection could transfer to your sinuses.
• Failure - if the procedure is unsuccessful, the tooth may need to be extracted.
• Nerve damage - this could occur if the roots of your teeth are very close to the nerves, but it is very rare.

Frequently Asked Questions About Apicoectomy Surgery

How Much Does an Apicoectomy Cost?

You will have a consultation prior to the surgery in which the cost of the procedure will be discussed with you. The amount you will need to pay will also depend on the level of insurance coverage you have. X-rays and antibiotics may also cost extra if you need them.

Is an Apicoectomy Painful?

The procedure itself should cause very little discomfort. There may be a little bit of swelling and/or bleeding afterwards but this should subside within a day or two.

What is the Success Rate of Apicoectomy Surgery?

When performed by an experienced dentist, apicoectomy surgery has a very high success rate. It is a commonly performed dental treatment and is considered a minor surgical procedure.

Do I need an Apicoectomy?

You may need an apicoectomy if you’ve already had a root canal but you are still experiencing pain or sensitivity. This may signify that the infection is still present.