Sometimes the infection affecting your tooth may not be completely gone after root canal treatment. In situations like this, your endodontist may recommend root canal surgery, also known as apicoectomy. If you haven’t heard of this procedure before, you may be wondering how reliable it is. Just what is an apicoectomy, and how successful is it? Here’s a look at the basics of what you need to know about this treatment.
What is Apicoectomy, and Why is it Needed?
An apicoectomy is a procedure that may be necessary when a standard root canal treatment isn’t enough to save your tooth. In some cases, there may still be inflammation present around the tip of the tooth root. If this inflammation doesn’t go away on its own after a few days, it could mean that the infection is not completely gone. This issue needs to be addressed as quickly as possible if you want to avoid a tooth extraction and protect your oral health; that’s where apicoectomy comes in.
During an apicoectomy, the mouth is numbed with a local anesthetic. Then the endodontist opens the gums to access the roots of the affected tooth. A few millimeters are removed from the tip of the root, and the root canal inside the tooth is cleaned. A small filling is placed to protect the tooth, and the gums are sutured shut.
What is the Success Rate of Apicotectomy?
Modern apicoectomies have a very high success rate. According to one study published in 2020, about 97% of patients who had an apicoectomy performed continued to see excellent results 5 years after the initial treatment.
Part of the reason why the treatment has such a high success rate is the utilization of modern technology. By using a CBCT scanner, your endodontist can plan your apicoectomy down to the smallest detail. This helps minimize the risk of complications occurring.
All that said, while the chances of an apicoectomy failing are low, they are not zero. On rare occasions, the treatment may not alleviate your symptoms, or your mouth might not heal properly after the procedure. If you notice warning signs that an apicoectomy may have failed (such as persistent discomfort or swelling that returns after improving at first), you should let your endodontist know immediately.
In general, an apicoectomy is a reliable way to save a tooth when a root canal treatment alone proves insufficient. If your endodontist tells you that you may need an apicoectomy, you should have it performed as promptly as possible so that you can get your oral health back on track sooner rather than later.
About the Author
Dr. Peyman Vaziri is our trustworthy endodontist at Parkway Endodontics in Lorain. He earned his dental degree and his specialty degree in endodontics at Case Western Reserve University. He holds membership with the American Association of Endodontists and other organizations. He has helped many patients save their teeth with root canal treatments, apicoectomies, and other advanced procedures. If you need the services of a skilled endodontist, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Vaziri by visiting his website or calling (440) 960-2660.
