Resection of the apex of the tooth root

Resection of the root apex (apicoectomy) is a dental operation that is performed in the presence of neoplasms (cysts, granulomas) on or near the root of a tooth. During surgery, not only the source of infection is removed, but also the injured part of the root is cut off.

Indications for surgery

Tooth root resection is indicated for:

granulomas and large cysts;
impossibility of treating canals due to their incorrect anatomical location.

The thickness of the bone tissue for resection must be at least 0.5 cm, otherwise the bone may break during the operation. Treatment is ineffective in the presence of periodontitis and periodontitis, especially if there is increased mobility of the diseased tooth.

Operation stages

The procedure is as follows:

2 days before resection, the dental nerve is removed and the canals are filled.
Before the operation, anesthesia is injected into the area of the diseased tooth.
When the injection begins to take effect, the surgeon cuts the gum and peels it away from the tooth, then makes an incision into the bone.
The tumor is removed from the cavity, everything is carefully scraped out, then the top of the tooth root is cut off.
To ensure that there is no empty space left and the bone tissue is restored faster, the cavity is filled with synthetic materials or the patient’s own plasma.
A self-absorbing membrane is applied to the wound, and the gum flap is sewn back into place. Then a protective bandage is applied, which will protect the gums from damage (the bandage is removed after a week).

Postoperative period

Soft tissues heal in 7 days, but bone tissue will take at least 3 months. Swelling of the gums and moderate pain will be observed for 3 days. To restore the body, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics and vitamins. After six months, it is necessary to take a control x-ray.

Effect of the procedure:

the operated tooth can serve for decades;
the tooth can be used as a basis for a prosthesis in the future;

After restoration, the bone tissue functions as before.

Contraindications

Tooth resection is not performed if:

severe tooth mobility;
the tumor spreads more than 1/3 of the tooth (in this case, removal is recommended);
very close proximity of healthy and diseased roots;
destroyed tooth tip;
diabetes mellitus, disorders of the cardiovascular and immune systems, mental disorders.

Granulomas and cysts are serious indications for surgical intervention. Do not hesitate to visit the doctor and then you will keep your tooth healthy!