Apikal Resection

 

Root-end resection is a surgical procedure performed to save a tooth that has previously undergone root canal treatment but is not healing or has become re-infected. This procedure is preferred to avoid tooth extraction and is often used to remove cysts, granulomas, or infections that have formed at the root end.

During the procedure, the gum is numbed with local anesthesia, and a small incision is made in the affected area. The surgeon reaches the jawbone and removes the infected tissue and a portion of the root tip. The root canal is then resealed with a filling material. Finally, the area is sutured, and the healing process begins.

Root-end resection has a high success rate, especially in front teeth. Mild pain, swelling, and tenderness may be experienced after the procedure, but these typically subside quickly. This procedure holds a significant place in modern dentistry because it allows the natural tooth to remain in the mouth for many years.