A root end surgery or apicoectomy is a complex procedure that involves microsurgery on a tooth that requires nerve removal. During the surgery, the end of the tooth’s root will be eliminated and a filling will be applied. The procedure is performed with anesthesia and a dental surgeon is required for a successful surgery. The surgery is recommended only in some cases and not all patients are candidates for the root end surgery.
Ideal Candidate
The root end surgery is typically performed on patients that have gone through a failed root canal therapy and this procedure cannot be repeated. The apicoectomy should save the tooth from extraction. However, not all patients that have undergone an unsuccessful root canal therapy are candidates for the surgery. The surgery involves anesthesia, which cannot be applied in patients with heart disease, liver damage or severe allergic reactions to anesthesia.
The surgery can be applied in healthy patients that are over 16 and under 70. The surgery may also be applied in younger or older patients, but the dental surgeon should establish if the surgery is recommended.
Who Shouldn't Receive Surgery
The surgery may be problematic for patients with the following conditions:
- Diabetes
- Immune system diseases
- Pregnant women
In some cases, the tooth cannot be saved and extraction will be the only remaining solution, as the apicoectomy may not help.
