Apicoectomy for Arvada & Westminster CO

Apicoectomy, also called root end surgery, is a surgical procedure to repair a damaged or infected tooth when a root canal fails or is ineffective. It is a common endodontic surgery performed to save a severely damaged tooth, eliminating the need for extraction. Endodontic surgery is advised when there is no other way to keep the tooth after a root canal has failed or the infection in the pulp has spread.

An apicoectomy allows us to locate hidden canals or fractures in the tooth that did not show in x-rays. If you continue to experience pain after a root canal, an apicoectomy can help us locate and treat the damaged tissue and save the tooth.

Apicoectomy Procedure

First, we administer local anesthesia to numb the area. An incision is made into the gums at the base of the tooth to remove any infected or inflamed tissue lingering around the tooth’s root. We then remove the tip of the tooth’s root and seal the opening with a filling to prevent reinfection. A bone graft is placed and the gum tissue is stitched back into place, allowing the area to heal. Over the next few months, the jawbone heals around the tooth’s root.

Following endodontic surgery, you will have some swelling and discomfort that is easy to control with over-the-counter pain medication. We will schedule a follow-up appointment about a week after your apicoectomy to ensure the area is healing properly and remove sutures.

Endodontic surgery is the last line of defense against tooth extraction. Whenever possible, we save the tooth to prevent having to remove your natural tooth. If you have questions or a root canal has failed, causing you pain or other symptoms, contact our office as soon as possible at Clear Creek Endodontics Phone Number 303-432-3636.