Apicoectomy in Avon, CT

An apicoectomy is a procedure that treats infections in the very tip (also known as the apex) of your tooth’s root. An apicoectomy completely removes the apex and replaces it with a small dental filling. This filling seals the root of the tooth and prevents infection from spreading.

When would I need to have an apicoectomy?

Sometimes, after root canal treatment, infected debris can remain in the canals and branches that extend out from the root of the tooth. During a root canal, a dentist cleans these branches, but unfortunately, an infection can sometimes remain and persist even after multiple root canals have been performed to address the problem. When root canal therapy is unsuccessful, an apicoectomy performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon may be able to eliminate infection and save your natural tooth and prevent the need for a dental extraction. If you need an apicoectomy treatment, your dentist will likely refer you to an oral and maxillofacial surgery practice such as ours. At Avon Oral, Facial and Dental Implant Surgery, our oral surgeons can perform your treatment in the comfort of our Avon, CT, office.

How is an apicoectomy performed?

Before the apicoectomy procedure, your oral surgeon will administer an anesthetic so that you will not feel any pain. Next, the surgeon will access the root tip through the side of the gums and will remove the tip of the root. All signs of infection in and around the tooth will be cleaned using special ultrasonic tools. Once the infection is eliminated, a small filling (usually made of composite or resin) will be placed to protect the root of the tooth. The surgical site will then be sutured and left to heal. The total procedure usually takes between 30 and 90 minutes.