During surgical root canal treatment, the root tip is shortened.
If a tooth root is severely infected to the extent that the surrounding tissue is also affected, surgical root canal treatment, often in the form of an apicoectomy, is often the last option to save the tooth.
If a tooth root is severely infected to the extent that the surrounding tissue is also affected, surgical root canal treatment, often in the form of an apicoectomy, is often the last option to save the tooth. If the infected tooth does not calm down despite careful root canal treatment, shortening the root tip is an additional option for preserving the tooth.
Under local anesthesia, the gum is minimally opened along the jaw ridge, and the bone around the tooth root is gently removed. This creates access to the root tip. The root tip is then shortened by a few millimeters, disinfected, and sealed with a special root canal cement (MTA) to prevent bacteria from entering. After complete removal of the infected tissue, the gum can be sutured. Typically, the sutures can be removed after about seven days. If the tooth has healed, it can potentially be restored to its original form with a crown.
