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Dr. Andoni Jones Explains The Apicectomy Procedure
What is Apicectomy ?
Dr. Andoni Jones Explains The Apicectomy Procedure
An apicectomy is a treatment performed when the tip of the root of a tooth remains infected after a root canal treatment, in the rare cases the previous one does not work and can't be improved.
It is a pain-free microsurgical procedure where the tip of the root is removed and the canal of the tooth is disinfected and sealed to prevent bacteria from entering the canal and causing infection.
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Apicectomy vs Root Canal Treatment
The success of a root canal treatment can be tempered by the patient's own immunity. It is sometimes a matter of balance between the quality of the treatment and the body response to it.
An apicectomy is required when a regular root canal treatment is not sufficient to completely clear out an infection.
While the root canal treatment is used to clean out the inside of the tooth, an apicectomy may follow if infection persists to disinfect the external root surface of the tooth.
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Cost Of An Apicectomy
At 3Dental, the cost of an apicectomy is €750.
More information on pricing can be found on our pricing page.
We offer free consultations in our Dublin, Limerick and Galway clinics.
The Apicectomy Procedure
- Initial Consultation
- Before Treatment
- The Procedure
Initial Consultation
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Initial Consultation
Prior to the treatment, a consultation is scheduled with your endodontist or oral surgeon.
During the consultation you have the opportunity to ask as many questions as you wish and a scanner may be taken so the endodontist or surgeon can get a better look at your tooth and prepare the operation.
Before Treatment
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Before Treatment
Before treatment, the face is cleaned and the patient is usually put under a local anesthetic to numb the tooth and surrounding gums.
In some cases, an antibiotic treatment will have to be taken a couple of hours before the beginning of the procedure.
The Procedure
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The Procedure
Firstly, the gum tissue surrounding the tip of the tooth is gently lifted up to gain access to the infected area.
Once the gum is raised, the infection is then cleaned out and the infected tip of the tooth is cut off.
The root canal treatment is examined and the root is filled again to ensure a perfect sealing.
Finally, the gum tissue is stitched back in place to allow for healing to occur.
The length of the procedure depends on the complexity of the tooth, but it generally takes between 30-90 minutes.
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Commonly Asked Questions
How long does it take to recover from an apicectomy?
Although endodontic surgery is more invasive than a regular root canal treatment, there is usually very little pain associated with it.
Typically, some mild pain or discomfort can be experienced for a few hours up to a few days, and is easily controlled with regular painkillers.
Some swelling after the surgery is frequent and is to be expected though. It is usually maximal 2 days following the surgery, and will decrease progressively to disappear completely after one week.
How painful is an apicectomy?
The procedure is carried out under a powerful local anesthesia and therefore no pain should be felt throughout the procedure.
A post-operatory drug prescription will be given to you following the surgery to prevent pain from coming up and to limit and reduce the swelling.
Why is apicectomy done?
Endodontic surgery can be recommended in the following cases:
- A root canal treatment completed in the highest standards of practice has failed to completely cure an infection
- A complication occurs in the course of a classic root canal treatment with no possibility of overcoming it
- A prosthetic restoration prevents direct access to the inside of the tooth or when a previous incomplete apicectomy is failing, modern endodontic surgery is the only and best option left to save a diseased tooth
What can I eat after apicectomy?
There is no specific diet to follow after an apicectomy although patients must avoid chewing down on the tooth for the following 4 days.
What is the success rate of apicectomy?
Endodontic surgery techniques and protocols have evolved considerably in the past 10 years.
With a modern approach, these procedures are considered to have a success rate of 90%.
Can I eat before apicectomy?
An apicectomy is a very local surgery where only a small area of the mouth is being worked on.
As it is completed under local anesthesia, it is best for all patients before surgery to eat exactly the same as they would normally do.
Why would I need an apicectomy?
If one of your teeth is to be saved for cosmetic of functional reasons and all previous treatments have failed to cure its disease (or when no other alternative treatment is possible), endodontic surgery is the only way to achieve a complete healing of the affected area.
Endodontic surgery can be recommended in different cases.
If you think you need an apicectomy, book a consultation with our endodontist at 3Dental so they can assess and give you all the information you need to take the right decision.
Is the apicectomy treatment available near me?
Yes! We provide the apicectomy treatment in each of our three clinics - Dublin, Limerick and Galway.
Book your free consultation today! We look forward to welcoming you in person soon :)
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