Modern Microsurgery-Apicoectomy by Redmond Dentist Dr. Derrick Wang
Providing services in Endodontics & Microsurgery to the area of Redmond, Washington (WA).
Modern Microsurgery-Apicoectomy
Although most nonsurgical root canal treatment can help save a tooth, in some instances, surgical endodontic treatment may become necessary. This is usually required when:
- Calcification prevents nonsurgical instruments from reaching the end of the infected root.
- A tooth has not healed properly and is causing recurring discomfort months or years after a previous root canal.
There are many surgical procedures that can be performed to save the tooth, but the most common surgery is called an “apicoectomy” or root-end resection. An apicoectomy may have to be performed when inflammation or infection persists in the bony area around the end of the tooth after a root canal procedure.
If an apicoectomy is necessary , we will administer a local anesthetic to ensure that the tooth and surrounding area is numb. With the aid of a microscope, we make a small incision in the gum tissue near the tooth to see the underlying bone and access the end of the root.
Any inflamed or infected tissue as well as the end of the root is removed and a small filling is placed to seal the end of the root. The gum tissue is sutured back in place to help the tissue heal properly. The surrounding bone usually heals around the end of the root over several months.
