Dental knowledge: apicoectomy (root-end resection)

What happens during root canal treatment.

The aim of root canal or endodontic treatment is to keep a tooth functional. In most cases inflammation can be cured by root treatment. In root canal treatment, bacteria or inflammation of the tooth nerve (the inside of the tooth) are treated and the remaining cavity is sealed. If the inflammation inside the tooth has spread to the area around the root tip, the bone can become infected. After successful root canal treatment, the periodontal structures around the tooth and the diseased tooth itself are free of symptoms again. Complete healing and the absence of clinical symptoms are checked by X-ray. A successfully treated tooth should show a periodontal space of normal width.

Where root treatment has not succeeded, an apicoectomy (root-end resection) offers a further chance of saving the tooth. In this procedure the infected tip of the root and the surrounding inflamed tissue are removed in an outpatient operation, usually under local anaesthetic. Unlike conventional root treatment, which reaches the canal system through the crown of the tooth, an apicoectomy reaches the root through the jawbone.

Answered briefly

Frequently asked questions

What is a root canal treatment done for?

The aim of root canal treatment, also called endodontic treatment, is to keep a tooth functional. Bacteria and inflammation of the tooth nerve inside the tooth are treated and the remaining cavity is sealed. In most cases inflammation can be cured this way.

How does the dentist tell whether the root treatment has worked?

After a successful root canal treatment the treated tooth and the structures surrounding it are free of symptoms again. Complete healing is additionally checked by X-ray. A successfully root-treated tooth should show a periodontal space of normal width.

What can be done if the root treatment has not helped?

Then an apicoectomy, a root-end resection, still offers a chance of saving the tooth substance. The infected tip of the root and the surrounding inflamed tissue are removed in an outpatient operation, usually under local anaesthetic. Unlike conventional root treatment through the crown of the tooth, the root is reached through the jawbone.