Apicoectomy (Root-End Surgery)

An apicoectomy is a minor surgical procedure to remove the very tip of a tooth's root and any persistent infection around it, used when a previous root canal has not fully healed. Working through the gum, the dentist removes the affected root end and seals it, allowing a tooth that would otherwise need extraction to be kept. Complimentary computer-controlled anaesthesia is offered for comfort.

An apicoectomy, or root-end resection, is a small surgical procedure used to save a tooth when infection persists at the tip of the root despite previous root canal treatment — for example because the canal anatomy is complex, a small lesion remains, or conventional re-treatment is not feasible. Rather than removing the whole tooth, the dentist treats the problem directly at its source. At Kaja Dental the procedure is planned with an X-ray to locate the root tip and any surrounding inflammatory lesion. After local anaesthesia — with the option of complimentary computer-controlled delivery — a small flap of gum is raised to expose the bone over the root end, the affected tip of the root together with infected tissue is removed, and the cut end of the canal is cleaned and sealed to prevent further leakage of bacteria. The gum is then closed with sutures. Because the procedure tackles infection that a standard root canal could not reach, it offers a way to retain a tooth — particularly one already restored with a crown or post — that might otherwise be lost. Some swelling and mild discomfort for a few days are normal and are managed with simple pain relief and the aftercare advice provided; sutures are usually reviewed about a week later, and healing of the underlying bone continues over the following months. The dentist will assess whether the tooth is a good candidate, explain the likelihood of success, and discuss alternatives such as extraction and replacement at consultation.