When the soft tissue around your tooth root is infected and inflamed, it can be extremely painful. Dr. Anastasios Photopoulos and Dr. The Phan may recommend an apicoectomy to remove the root tip and prevent the spread of infection to your other teeth. We welcome you to call us today at 408-437-1111 to learn more about apicoectomy in San Jose, California, and schedule your consultation with our endodontist and oral surgeon.
Your teeth are held in place by roots that extend into the jawbone. The tip of the roots, the apex, delivers blood and nutrients to the tooth. If infection and inflammation in your mouth persists after a root canal treatment, an apicoectomy can be performed in eliminate the infection in the tissue and preserve your tooth. Our dentists will not consider performing this treatment unless root canal therapy fails to help you.
An apicoectomy may be recommended when:
- The small, adjoining root branches cannot be cleaned and sealed during a roto canal treatment, resulting in persistent inflammation.
- The root canals are blocked, and our endodontist is unable to thoroughly clean them.
- The root canals are narrow or curved, making it impossible for endodontic files to reach the root tip, resulting in continuing or reoccurring infection.
In preparation for your apicoectomy, we will prescribe an antibiotic or anti-inflammatory medication to treat your infection. We will take panoramic X-rays to plan your treatment, and provide you with a local anesthetic to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible.
We will make a small incision in the gum to expose the root, in some cases removing a tiny portion of your jawbone. The end of the root tip and any infected connective tissue will be removed. We will then seal your tooth root with medicated filling materials, and the gum will be sutured. You will not need to stay overnight following this procedure.
Our dentists will provide you with detailed post-operative instructions, and prescribe medication as needed. After a few days, the stitches will dissolve or be removed. Your connective tissues will continue to heal for several months.
For more information about apicoectomy procedures, contact our practice today.
