How Long Does Apical Dental Surgery Take?

Apical dental surgery is also known as an apicoectomy or root-end resection. The term "apical" refers to the apex or tip of the tooth's root.

Apical dental surgery takes about 40 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on the tooth's location and the severity of the infection in the root tip.

Apical dental surgery typically happens after a root canal, when the infection persists in the tip of the root after the dentist clears it from larger canals and the tooth's crown. This dental procedure removes the root tip to stop infection.

Why is Apical Dental Surgery Necessary?

If you still have pain and swelling after having a standard root canal, the infection could have spread to the tip of the root. In this situation, apical dental surgery becomes necessary. The need for an apicoectomy could present itself months to years after the initial root canal.

If you have pain or swelling at any point after a root canal, you should see an endodontist as soon as possible for an evaluation. Pain in the root's apex can be severe even though the infected area is small.

If you do not have the surgery, the infection can spread to surrounding areas and lead to tooth loss. Apical dental surgery can save your tooth and protect your overall oral health.

Procedure for Apical Dental Surgery

During apical dental surgery, the endodontist retracts the gum tissue surrounding the tooth to access the underlying bone. The endodontist then removes any infected or inflamed tissue. They also cut and remove the tip of the root.

The endodontist often uses a surgical microscope to accurately target and remove damaged tissue. Microsurgery increases the chances of a successful procedure.

The endodontist may put a filling at the end of the root to protect the tooth's interior. Finally, they suture the gums to promote proper healing.

If you received only local anesthesia or nitrous oxide, you could drive yourself home from the appointment. If you have a deeper type of sedation, you must follow the endodontist's instructions.

Recovering from Apical Dental Surgery

You will not feel any pain during the procedure thanks to local anesthetics. After the procedure, you may feel discomfort or swelling during the healing process, but it should not last very long. Ensure that you follow the endodontist's post-operative instructions for the best results.

Call Elite Endodontics of NH

Apical dental surgery can relieve pain and treat potentially severe infections that lead to tooth loss. Apical surgery can be tricky and may not relieve pain or infection if done improperly. It is best to see a highly qualified endodontist for a delicate procedure like apical surgery rather than going to your family dentist.

Contact Elite Endodontics of NH at our convenient Hudson or Hooksett offices. We can help you set up an appointment and relieve the pain of an apical infection.