Endodontic Microsurgery (‘Apicectomy’)

Occasionally, conventional root canal treatment (through the top of the tooth) may not work or can not be performed, despite the best efforts of a Specialist endodontist.

Reasons for this might be:

  • Attempting to re-treat a previous root canal filling has a statistically lower success rate of 70-80% (compared to 95% success if it was performed properly the first time round).
    You can catch a short video on endodontic re-treatment below.
  • Re-treating the root canals from the ‘top’ of the tooth may be too destructive to the existing crown or bridgework
  • Cleaning of the root canals may be technically extremely difficult or impossible due to a blockage or calcification
  • Long-standing infection may be resistant to conventional root canal treatment. This is due to infection surviving outside the end of the roots. This will then require a direct surgical investigation and removal

Immediate Post-treatment Care Guides

For the first few days after treatment the tooth may feel a little ‘achy’, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure.

This discomfort is sometimes caused by the fact that we have instrumented and disturbed the infected area just outside the end of the roots and the pressure of applying the root-filling. This can be relieved with over-the-counter or prescription medications.

Evidence shows that taking an anti-inflammatory just before and after the treatment (e.g. 400 mg Ibuprofen, “Nurofen Plus”), or if you have a medical condition that precludes you taking his type of painkiller (e.g. asthma, gastric ulcer), then 1000mg Paracetomol will help in minimising the discomfort.

If you have had Endodontic Microsurgery (Apical Surgery), download Endo61 post-treatment information here:

painkillers