Apicoectomy, also known as root end surgery, retrograde root canal treatment or root end filling, is an endodontic surgical procedure whereby a tooth’s root tip is removed and a root end cavity is prepared and filled with a biocompatible material. It is an example of a periradicular surgery.
The root end is filled in order to eliminate any chances of reinfection in future. Apicoectomy is recommended in cases of inaccessible canals, overfilled canals, fractured root, draining sinus tract, broken instrument and cyst or granuloma formation.
Persisting pain in a previously root canal treated tooth may be indicative of re-infection or an unsuccessful root canal procedure. Sometimes there may also be chances of cystic formation in infected region. Usually a second root canal treatment is considered before performing apicoectomy in an attempt to eradicate the recurrent infection. Failure to curb infection may cause it to spread and can damage the adjoining teeth or an underlying bone. Therefore it is imperative to cease the spread of infection at the grass root level through apicoectomy procedure.
Perfect Dental® is best dental clinic in Jamnagar, having highly skilled Endodontist and Oral Surgeon who perform this endodontic surgery with utmost precision. In order to completely remove any chances of reinfection, our best dentists in Jamnagar provide the option of laser application at Perfect Dental®.
Following is a guide to what you should expect and what care or precautions you should take after a surgical Apicoectomy is performed on you:
What You Should Expect
- It is common to experience mild pain and/or swelling for approximately 3 days following Apicoectomy procedure. If pain and/or swelling persist for more than 3 days, please contact us.
- If you experience severe pain and/or swelling, contact us immediately.
- Use ice pack or cold pack as directed for reducing swelling.
- Small blood spots while spitting or minor bleeding for a day or two is common after oral surgeries. If there is a profuse (excessive) bleeding, please contact us immediately.
- If the Apicoectomy procedure was done under local anesthesia, you may feel numbness for 3-4 hours in certain parts of your mouth and face. If numbness persists for more than 12 hours, please contact us.
- You may experience facial muscle soreness due to excessive opening of mouth. Contact us and we will determine if you need any medication for the same. Use warm towel pack or hot water bag to apply on area of muscle soreness only after 72 hours.
- Practice opening and closing of mouth (unless advised otherwise) after 24 hours. It is essential to keep your facial muscle moving.
- If you have been given sutures (stitches) you will have to come to our dental center after 7 days for its removal, unless advised otherwise.
What Care Or Precautions You Should Take
- If you have been given the gauze dressing following Apicoectomy procedure then keep the gauze dressing pressed with your lip or cheek for 1 hour.
- It is essential to keep the gauze dressing pressed so do not speak or try to eat or drink anything for 1 hour till gauze dressing is in mouth.
- Remove the gauze dressing exactly after 1 hour of its placement.
- Do not go to sleep while gauze is in mouth.
- Once you remove gauze dressing after 1 hour and if the bleeding has stopped, you can take 1 cup of ice cream (plain vanilla is preferable), juice or milkshake and take medication as directed to avoid pain after the anesthesia wears off.
- Once you remove gauze dressing after 1 hour, if there is persistent profuse (excessive) bleeding, place a new gauze dressing and keep it pressed with your lip or cheek and contact us immediately.
- Avoid hot food and drinks like very hot tea or coffee for first 24 hours and preferably 48 hours.
- Eat soft and cold diet that does not require too much chewing.
- Avoid crunchy foods like chips for 1 week.
- Do not use straw for drinking any liquids for 48 hours.
- Do not drink carbonated drinks for 1 week.
- Use opposite side of your mouth for chewing and not the side from where Apicoectomy procedure was done at least for 48 hours.
- For the first 48 hours take grinded food processed in a grinder so that you can swallow it without much chewing and start taking regular soft diet after 48 hours of surgery.
- Avoid smoking and tobacco chewing strictly for first 48 hours.
- Do not spit, rinse or gargle for first 24 hours after surgery.
- If anesthesia was given in lower jaw then please avoid eating anything until the anesthesia wears off and the numbness is gone.
- Do not brush or floss for the first 24 hours after surgery.
- Continue gentle brushing and flossing twice daily only after 24 hours of procedure. Care should be taken to avoid rinsing forcefully after brushing. Good oral hygiene is a key to success of treatment.
- Gently Rinse your mouth with water after every meal after 48 hours of surgery.
- You should “lay low” for one to two weeks. Minimal activities with bed rest are recommended. Do not work out at the gym or play sports activities for at least 3 weeks.
- The surgical sites will take a few weeks to completely heal up. However you should gradually return to normal function within one to two weeks.
- If you have been prescribed any medication, take it regularly according to prescription and do not alter the schedule or duration of medication without consulting your dentist.
- If you have been given sutures (stitches) care should be taken to not to pull them out while chewing and brushing.
You should contact us immediately if you notice any of the following:
– Bleeding is profuse (choking on blood).
– Bleeding is continuous (still changing bright red gauze after 24 hours).
– Severe pain not well controlled by medications.
– Rash, hives or difficulty breathing after taking the medications that suggest an allergic reactions.
– Persistent fever lasting more than 24 hours.
– Discharge coming out from the surgical site.Frequently Asked Questions About Apecoectomy And Their Answers
How painful is an Apicoectomy?
Apicoectomy surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia such as a numbing shot, so you won’t feel any pain. Most apicoectomies take about 30 to 90 minutes to complete. Following the procedure, you may experience some swelling and soreness in the area that was treated.
Why do I need Apicoectomy?
Infection and debris can quickly affect adjacent teeth. Narrow or curved root canals possess a challenge for your dentist in performing a proper root canal treatment. When the root canal is poorly shaped, the endodontic files cannot reach the root tip and continuing infection or re-infection can result. In such cases, our best dentists in Jamnagar at Perfect Dental® can try to save the tooth with re-treatment or apicoectomy with highly sophisticated instruments and deliver best results.
Who is the best dentist in Jamnagar for best root canal treatment (RCT)?
Perfect Dental® has highly sophisticate equipment for performing advanced root canal treatment (RCT) procedure in Jamnagar. Our doctors are highly experienced specialist dentists for root canal treatment (RCT) in Jamnagar. We like challenges and we have consistently delivered highest success rate in most complex cases of root canal treatment (RCT) for years.
What is the success rate of an Apicoectomy?
The success rate of traditional apicoectomy was reported to be 59.0% (Setzer et al., 2010).
How do I know if my Apicoectomy failed?
Following your apicoectomy, you should closely monitor your teeth and gums for signs of treatment failure or infection. If your pain worsens, swelling increases, or you notice signs of infection like sores on the gums, inflammation, or fever, please contact us at Perfect Dental®.
Can an Apicoectomy last a lifetime?
For most people a tooth restored during a root canal could last a lifetime, as long as they continue to care for their teeth and gums. This treatment can typically be done by our best dentists in Jamnagar and they may take x-rays in order to find all the root canals within the tooth.
Are you awake during an Apicoectomy?
With modern techniques and anesthetics, most patients report that they are completely comfortable during the procedure. You will remain awake during the procedure and will receive a local anesthesia at the site of the tooth in question. The tooth can feel sensitive for the first few days after the procedure.
Does bone grow back after Apicoectomy?
Yes, after apicoectomy the cavity in bone is filled with blood clot, which gradually forms a new bone. In some cases where the cavity formed during apicoectomy was too large, our best dentists in Jamnagar at Perfect Dental® may decide to place bone graft to correct the defect and deliver high success rate.
Perfect Dental® is the best dental clinic in Jamnagar and our team of specialist doctors is highly skilled and experienced best dentists in Jamnagar. We have a highest success rate of 97%.