Apicoectomy

Insufficient attention to oral hygiene and care, along with poor eating habits, can lead to an increase in bacteria in the mouth over time. These bacteria concentrate in decayed teeth, progressing step by step until they reach the tooth root, causing inflammation of the tooth roots. If the decay in an inflamed tooth progresses, root canal treatment becomes necessary. However, sometimes the decay can advance too much to be saved with root canal treatment. Following an unsuccessful root canal treatment, an apicoectomy must be performed to save the tooth. This procedure is a minor surgical intervention applied to save teeth at risk of being lost and to prevent serious complications. Apicoectomy allows for the removal of inflamed tissue around the tip of the tooth root. Expert Dentist Emin Serhat Arıkan, serving patients in Adana, explained what apicoectomy is and why it is performed.

What is Apicoectomy?

Apicoectomy is a surgical treatment procedure applied against infections that occur in the tooth root. It is preferred in cases where the infection in the tooth cannot be treated with root canal treatment or another method. To eliminate the inflammation and save the tooth, the infected part of the tooth root and the surrounding inflamed tissue must be removed. Apicoectomy is also known as root end resection or root-end surgery.

In Which Cases Is Apicoectomy Applied?

Prior to an apicoectomy, the patient must have undergone root canal treatment at least once, but this treatment must have been insufficient in eliminating the infection. The situations where an apicoectomy should be decided are as follows:

• If there are injuries that have caused damage to the tooth root.
• In cases where the anatomical structure of the jaw is not suitable for root canal treatment.
• It can be applied in cases where the problematic tooth root compresses other tooth roots.

Conversely, apicoectomy is not performed if the patient's anatomical jaw structure is not suitable, if the patient has other systemic and chronic diseases, or if the tooth root is smaller than normal.

Can Apicoectomy Be Applied To All Teeth?

If the patient's jaw structure is anatomically suitable for the operation, apicoectomy can be applied to every tooth, including large molars. The main point to pay attention to here is a comprehensive examination of the area where the tooth is located using X-ray technology. If, after evaluating the examination results, your dentist does not deem apicoectomy appropriate, the tooth may need to be extracted.

How Is Apicoectomy Performed?

Apicoectomy is performed while the patient is under the effect of local anesthesia. Before the surgical intervention, a dental X-ray of the patient is taken, and the condition of the infected tooth is analyzed. The extent of the infection's spread is observed. Taking into account the level of inflammation, the root tip and the surrounding infected tissue are removed. After a detailed disinfection process, the tooth is closed. The treatment proceeds painlessly. After the procedure, a certain level of pain, swelling, or bruising may be experienced in the area.

Preparation for Surgery

If the tooth to be surgically intervened is examined and found suitable for the operation, the patient needs to use an antiseptic mouthwash for a while. Antibiotic treatment is resorted to to eliminate inflammation in the tooth. Additionally, the patient's medical history is reviewed before the operation. If high blood pressure or another condition is experienced, the dentist must be informed about it.

During Surgery

Before any intervention, local anesthesia is applied to numb the area around the infected tooth. Afterward, the gum tissue is lifted. Then, the infected area around the tooth root and a small portion of the root are removed. After the root tip is removed, the root canal inside the tooth must be thoroughly cleaned. Afterward, a small filling must be applied to the area to prevent possible infections. The treatment is completed in approximately 30 to 90 minutes. The location of the tooth and the complexity of the root structure affect the treatment duration.

What Should Be Paid Attention To After An Apicoectomy Procedure?

After the apicoectomy procedure, specialist doctors inform patients about what they should pay attention to. The issues patients need to take care of after treatment are as follows:

• After the operation, a cold compress should be applied to the area for ten to twelve hours. At the same time, the patient needs to spend this period resting.
• Swelling and bruising may occur in the application area. In fact, this swelling may increase the day after the surgery. It is quite normal to see this reaction after tooth root treatment.
• To support the healing process, you should not brush your teeth, smoke, or eat hard foods for the period specified by your doctor.
• To examine the tooth that will undergo apicoectomy, the lip should not be pulled up. You should avoid making abnormal mouth movements. Otherwise, the stitches may loosen.
• After the operation, the patient may feel some numbness in the procedure area. This does not mean that the nerves are damaged. Therefore, there is no need to worry.
• To relieve possible pain complaints, you can use the painkillers recommended by your doctor.
• The stitches need to be removed two to seven days after the treatment. However, a two-week period is needed for complete healing.