The surgical treatment done to treat infections at the tip of the root is known as apicectomy. It is generally done if the infection or cyst persists even after root canal treatment. The treatment involves cleaning the infection from the bone, removing a small portion at the root tip and sealing the root end with a small filling.
Apicectomy Procedure:
- The dentist will numb the tooth and the surrounding area with a local anaesthetic
- A flap of gum is lifted to the tip of the root and a small amount of surrounding bone and infected tissue are removed
- The area is cleaned and disinfected
- A few millimetre portion is cut from the root tip
- The root end is sealed with a small filling
- Gums are stitched back into positions
