Root resection refers to an endodontic surgical procedure to remove an untreatable fractured or dissolving root while retaining the original tooth's structure. Root resection and other endodontic surgical procedures are done in instances where conventional endodontic (root canal) treatment is not sufficient in saving the affected tooth. The duties of surgical endodontics include the removal of infected or inflamed tissue in the bone exploring for fractures or canals in the roots that were not evident on x-rays and cleaning and sealing the tip of the root canal which due to some type of obstruction was not possible during conventional endodontic treatment.
In the root resection procedure the gum and tooth are anesthetized. An incision is made in the gums and the untreatable infected tissue is removed at the tip of the root. A small filling is then placed in the root tip and the gums are stitched back to its original position.
