Root tip resection at your specialist in Munich
What is a root tip resection?
The (tooth) root tip resection, apicoectomy or microsurgical endodontics, is a dental surgical procedure to preserve a tooth despite inflammation. At the root tip of the teeth are small branches of the canals in which bacteria can remain, leading to an inflammation of the root tip. These branches are removed during the RTR.
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Root tip resection - treatment procedure and duration
Before the actual root tip resection is started, we make an x-ray in our dental practice Seehofer in the centre of Munich in order to determine the exact course of the tooth root. In particularly severe cases, three-dimensional images using DVT X-rays provide information about the detailed location of the root.
If the further procedure is planned, the patient is given a local anaesthetic to guarantee a painless treatment. Now the gum and the periosteum of the affected tooth are cut through and the part of the jawbone under which the root tip lies is exposed. The bone is now prepared accordingly and removed until the root tip is visible. Now the tip of the tooth is shortened by about two to a maximum of three millimetres using special dental instruments and surrounding inflamed tissue is carefully removed. After disinfecting the treated tooth root, the root canal is filled and sealed. In the last step, the tissue is folded back over the tooth bone and securely sutured.
The exact duration of a root tip resection depends on the severity of the inflammation and depends on the position of the tooth. In general, a root apex resection takes about 30 - 45 minutes.Apicoectomy - pain and general anesthesia
Temporary pain and swelling after a root tip resection are common side effects. However, these should subside after a few days.
Usually, a local anaesthetic is sufficient to eliminate the patient's pain for an apicoectomy. In very severe cases, however, when a pronounced inflammation makes anaesthesia impossible, or in patients with severe dental anxiety, general anaesthesia may be considered. We would be happy to discuss the anaesthetic options with you in a personal consultation at our Seehofer dental practice.
Further information
When is a root tip resection useful?
A root tip resection is performed when bacteria accumulate in small branches of the canals at the root tip and cause inflammation. If the bacteria penetrate to the root apex, action should be taken quickly to prevent the inflammation from spreading further to the jawbone and soft tissues of the face. In general, an attempt is first made to stop the inflammation with a root canal treatment. If this dental treatment is unsuccessful, the last alternative to pulling the tooth is a microsurgical apicoectomy.
Apicoectomy - healing time and hospitalization
About 7 - 10 days after a root tip resection, the stitches are carefully removed. By this time the wound has healed in most cases. A sick leave for the entire period is usually not necessary. Most of our patients are fit for work again after about three days.