Apicoectomy Specialist
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Dominion Endodontics
Endodontics located in Alexandria, Falls Church, & Arlington, VA
If a root canal isn’t enough to save your tooth, the experienced providers at Dominion Endodontics may suggest apicoectomy surgery to remove infected tissues inside the tooth and gums at one of their three convenient practice locations in Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church, Virginia. To find out if you require an apicoectomy, schedule an appointment online or call the nearest location today.
Apicoectomy Q & A
What is an apicoectomy?
An apicoectomy is the most common minor endodontic surgery. The procedure involves opening the gum tissue near a damaged tooth to view the bone and remove inflamed and infected tissues. The end of the tooth’s root is removed, and a small filling is placed to seal the end of the root canal.
Once the treated area is cleaned, a few stitches are placed in the gums to help the tissue heal properly. Your bone will heal around the end of the root over the next few months after the surgery.
Apicoectomies are only performed when a traditional root canal treatment isn’t practical. The procedure can restore your oral health and save the tooth, bone, and gums for many years after treatment.
Does an apicoectomy hurt?
During an apicoectomy procedure, your provider uses a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable. Dominion Endodontics is one of the only practices in the area offering sedation dentistry to ensure your complete comfort for procedures that cause anxiety or pain.
After the procedure, you may experience slight swelling and minor discomfort while the treatment area heals. Your provider gives you specific postoperative instructions and recommends pain medication to relieve any discomfort during healing.
Stitches placed after an apicoectomy are removed 2-7 days after the surgery and most patients recover completely within 14 days of the procedure. Most people say recovering from an apicoectomy is quicker than recovering from a nonsurgical root canal.
Do I need an apicoectomy?
If you’ve already had a root canal on a tooth that becomes reinfected, you may need an apicoectomy. Apicoectomy is also an option if you have tooth decay on a tooth with a crown. Conventional root canal treatment would require taking the crown off the tooth, which often further weakens the tooth.
Your provider examines your mouth and takes X-rays or 3D images to get a better look at what’s happening under the gumline to determine whether you need an apicoectomy.
Learn more about apicoectomy or schedule an appointment to find out if the endodontic surgery is right for you. Call Dominion Endodontics or book online today.
