Relieve Pain and Save Your Infected Tooth with Apicoectomy

Most infected teeth only need a standard root canal. However, infected tissues might sometimes remain at the root tip, warranting an apicoectomy procedure in Windsor Mill, Maryland. Edmondson Family Dental Care offers comprehensive endodontic services to relieve pain and save your tooth from extraction. Our root canal specialist, Dr. Jon Edmondson, offers apicoectomy to give your tooth another chance from failed root canals or recurrent infections.

What is an apicoectomy?

An apicoectomy (root-end resection) is a minor surgical procedure that helps save a tooth when a standard root canal isn’t enough to clear an infection. During an apicoectomy, the dentist removes the tip (or “apex”) of the tooth’s root, where the infection often lingers, especially if a previous root canal didn’t fully clear it. The goal is to preserve as much of the natural tooth as possible while getting rid of infection at the root level, allowing the tooth to heal without needing extraction.

What can I expect from the apicoectomy procedure?

Dr. Edmondson administers apicoectomy when symptoms like pain or swelling persist even after a root canal. An apicoectomy is a reliable way to keep your tooth intact and avoid more complex treatments. Before treatment, the dentist numbs your mouth with powerful anesthetics to ensure you don’t feel pain during treatment.

Next, the dentist will make a small incision on your gums to access the roots. Then, we’ll remove a few millimeters of the infected tooth’s tip and any damaged surrounding tissues. We’ll then thoroughly clean and sanitize the area before sealing the tip to prevent future infections. Finally, the dentist will suture the gums to kick-start healing.

Is an epicoectomy worth it?

An apicoectomy is yet another procedure our office uses to save your natural tooth. Root-end surgery preserves natural teeth when a traditional root canal alone isn’t enough to resolve an infection. This procedure targets the tip of the tooth’s root to clear out infection and inflamed tissue, which stops recurring infections that could lead to tooth loss.

Root-end resection is effective for patients who want to maintain their natural smile and avoid tooth replacement options like implants or bridges. Your treated tooth functions naturally and lasts many years with proper care.

What can I expect after apicoectomy?

Typically, many patients experience mild swelling, bruising, and pain around the treatment area after the anesthetics wear off. However, these side effects diminish after a few days, and you can resume your everyday activities. We won’t let you battle recovery on your own. We’ll prescribe the following post-op instructions to ensure an event-free recovery.

  • We’ll prescribe pain medication and antibiotics to manage lingering infections
  • Rest for a few days to allow the body to heal, and sleep with your head elevated
  • Consider soft foods and liquids for the first few days
  • Use an ice pack to minimize swelling
  • Observe optimal oral hygiene to eliminate unwanted bacteria
  • Stop smoking or alcohol use for a few days
  • Adhere to follow-up dental appointments

Do you need an apicoectomy?

An apicoectomy is an effective procedure when standard root canals fail. Are you interested in apicoectomy in Windsor Mill, MD? Welcome to Edmondson Family Dental Care for advanced endodontic services. Call (410) 220-5309 to reserve an appointment.