Apicoectomy in Orem UT

Our teeth are held firmly in position by the tooth roots, which extend into the jawbone through the sockets. The tip of the tooth root is called the apex, where the nerves and blood vessels enter the tooth, forming the dental pulp. When the pulp sustains an infection due to the microbes in the mouth, it can lead to a root canal infection. A root canal therapy is used to treat the condition, where the infected pulp is removed from the tooth and restored using a suitable restoration.

But, even after the root canal therapy, the infection could resurface and inflame the dental pulp. In this case, additional treatment would be required. Apicoectomy is an endodontic procedure used to remove the tip of the tooth root. During this procedure, the apex is removed along with the infected tissues, and then a filling restores the root’s tip.

Why is it required?

If a tooth suffers a second root canal infection after undergoing a root canal therapy, it is usually an issue near the tip of the tooth root. Ideally, we will consider a second root canal therapy before opting for Apicoectomy. Apicoectomy is done when retreatment of the root canal infection has failed, and the only other means to treat the condition is extracting the tooth.

How is it carried out?

The dentist will make an incision on the gums near the infected tooth and lift the tissues to expose the underlying jawbone. A hole is made in the jawbone to access the tip of the tooth root, after which the last few millimeters of the tooth root and infected tissues are removed. The end of the tooth’s canal will be cleaned and sealed. After this, the wound is closed using sutures, and a suitable healing period is recommended.

Please do reach out to us on call or by scheduling an online consultation with our dental professionals, and we’ll be glad to assist you further.