Teeth can often be troublesome and there are numerous procedures that involve you teeth and roots. An apicoectomy procedure is done in only select cases and involves the roots of your teeth. In order to understand what an apicoectomy is and the success rate of this procedure, you need some background information about how teeth and roots work.
What You Need To Know
Teeth are kept in place by your roots that go all the way down to your jawbone. Most of your front teeth only have one root, but your molars and premolars have at least two roots holding them in place. Each root has an end that is called an apex and this is the pint in your mouth where the nerves are connected to your tooth. The nerves are connected through a canal that is inside of the root and ends at a pulp chamber that is termed a crown.
Root Canals and Apicoectomy
Root canals are common treatments performed by your dentist and results in the cleaning of the canal. All inflammations and infections are removed during a root canal, but this is not always effective. An apicoectomy is required when you get an infection after a root canal procedure and that infection lingers without subsiding. This procedure is only recommended if the infection can’t be removed by another root canal. An apicoectomy is not a procedure that is common and it is only done when no other option for infection relief exists.
Why Do Infections occur After a Root Canal?
A root canal is a very complicated procedure and some infections are unavoidable. Infected tissues can stay in the tiny branches of the canal even during this procedure. The only way to get rid of this infection is to remove the root tip or apex and all of the tissue that is infected. This extensive procedure is called an apicoectomy.
Success Rate of an Apicoectomy
This procedure is not common and it is normally a last resort, because it is so extensive and involves removing the root tip. However, this procedure is extremely effective in removing the infection. This procedure is only an option if you have already undergone a root canal. In many cases a second root canal is performed before an apicoectomy is chosen. This procedure will be about 70% effective in removing the infected tissue. This high rate of success is what makes it a great option.
