30 Central Park South, Suite 3A, New York, NY

Apicoectomy, Manhattan NY

Please call today to schedule an appointment or with any questions: ☎ Frederick G Hegedus, D.D.S. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon Phone Number 212-759-2993

Teeth are held in place by roots that extend into the jawbone. Front teeth usually have one root. Premolar and molar teeth have one, two, three or even more roots. The tip or end of each root is called the apex. Nerves and blood vessels enter the tooth through this apex, and they travel through the root canal inside the root. Root canal treatment is needed when an infection develops inside the root canal. During root canal treatment, these canals are cleaned, inflamed or infected tissue is removed, and the canals are filled.

If a root canal has been done in the past and it becomes infected again, it is often because of a problem near the apex of the root. In many cases, a second root canal treatment (re-treatment) is considered. Endodontists (root canal specialists) can often detect other canals, or accessory canals that were not treated. In this case, they may be able to clear up the infection by doing a second root canal procedure. This will avoid the need for a surgical procedure called apicoectomy.

What is an Apicoectomy?

Apicoectomy is a surgical procedure, when the root tip, or apex, is removed along with the infected tissue around the apex. Through a small incision on the gum, a small bony window is created to expose the apex, then the apex and the infected tissue are removed. A filling is then placed to seal the end of the root.

An apicoectomy may be needed when infection develops or won’t go away after root canal treatment or re-treatment. It is done only after a tooth has had at least one root canal treatment and re-treatment has not been successful or is not possible.

Dr. Hegedus will review the risks of this procedure during the consultation visit with you. Depending on where the tooth is located, the risks of the procedure are different. If the tooth is an upper back tooth, the apex and the infection can extend into the sinus. If the tooth is a lower back tooth, the apex and the infection can be close to a major nerve. The main risk is that the surgery may not work and the tooth may need to be extracted.

In most cases, the procedure is completed under local anesthesia, or in selected cases, under IV sedation. The treatment options and risks will be discussed in detail by Dr. Hegedus during your consultation visit.

Under the Surgical Instructions section on this website, please read the Pre- and Post Surgical Instructions.