In this procedure, the gum tissue near the tooth is opened to see the underlying bone and to remove any inflamed or infected tissue. The very end of the root is also removed. Please see this video from the Amercian Association of Endodontists for more information*.

Video reproduced with permission from the American Association of Endodontists.

*Video may have difficulty loading on some mobile devices.

When inflammation or infection persists in the bony area around the end of your tooth after a root canal procedure, an apicoectomy (Endodontic Surgery) may be performed.

In this procedure, the Endodontist opens the gum tissue near the tooth to see the underlying bone and to remove any inflamed or infected tissue.  The very end of the root is also removed.

A small filling may be placed to seal the end of the root canal and a few stitches or sutures are placed in the gum to help the tissue heal properly.

Over a period of months the bone heals around the end of the root.