What Is an Apicoectomy and Why Might You Need One

Posted on 2/8/2021 by Pacific Maxillofacial Center

An apicoectomy provides pain relief for a tooth that has deep dental decay. Also called root end surgery, the procedure is a minor surgical treatment that removes the tip or apex of an infected tooth root.

Why You May Need an Apicoectomy

If a dental infection develops and proceeds down the root canal of a tooth, you cannot have a traditional root canal treatment to fix the problem. The only option, besides an apicoectomy, is to extract the affected tooth. If this happens, it could impact the surrounding healthy teeth. It might also cause them to shift out of place because of the gap caused by the extracted tooth. To prevent this from happening, we will strongly suggest a patient undergo an apicoectomy. When an apicoectomy is performed, we administer anesthesia to make the patient more comfortable. We will make a tiny incision in the gum at the surgical site to get rid of the infected and inflamed tissue during the process. Next, we will remove the end of the tooth's root where the infection has settled. The end of the root canal is then sealed and filled. Only a few stitches are required to close the gingival tissue. The bone will heal around the toot's tip over the following next few months.

What Should I Expect During Recovery

During the recovery process, you can go on with your life and daily tasks as soon as the next day. Over the first few days, you may experience some minor discomfort and swelling. Therefore, you need to follow the post-op instructions given to you following the surgery. Also, contact us right away if you experience severe pain or develop complications. You will need to check your insurance plan's coverage to see if an apicoectomy is covered. Most plans cover routine preventive dental care or treatments that prevent severe decay or the need to get an apicoectomy.

Do you have any questions about the apicoectomy process? If so, give us a call anytime. If you believe you need the surgery, call us immediately to schedule an appointment for an exam and consultation.

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At Pacific Maxillofacial Center the doctors cover dental subjects, that you and your family may be interested in. Call us today, we are located nearby Honolulu!
Pacific Maxillofacial Center, 1060 Young Street #312, Honolulu, HI 96814 • 808-585-8455 • pacificmaxcenter.com • 10/8/2024 • Tags: Dental Implants Honolulu •