Apicoectomy
Root Canal Care
About This Service
Bixby Endodontics provides microsurgical endodontic care in Long Beach for patients who need a more advanced tooth-saving option after prior treatment.
An apicoectomy, also called root-end surgery, may be recommended when inflammation or infection remains around the end of a tooth root after root canal treatment. Instead of reopening the tooth from the top, the endodontist treats the root tip and surrounding tissue directly with a microsurgical approach.
When root-end surgery is considered
An apicoectomy may be considered when infection persists near the root tip, when anatomy is difficult to retreat from inside the tooth, or when a post or restoration makes nonsurgical retreatment less practical.
A focused surgical approach
The procedure is performed through the gum near the affected root. The endodontist removes the inflamed tissue, trims the root tip, places a small root-end filling, and closes the area so healing can begin.
Recovery and follow-up
Most patients return to normal routines quickly, although soreness and swelling can occur for a short time. Follow-up imaging helps confirm that the area is healing as expected.
The Process
Surgical Evaluation
We review imaging, symptoms, prior treatment, and restorative factors to decide whether root-end surgery is appropriate.
Local Anesthesia
The area is numbed thoroughly, and the surgical site is accessed with a small, targeted approach.
Root-End Repair
Inflamed tissue is removed, the root tip is addressed, and a small seal is placed at the end of the root.
Healing Check
We provide post-operative instructions and monitor healing with follow-up visits and imaging as needed.
Common Questions
If your dentist has mentioned root-end surgery or an apicoectomy, our Long Beach team can review your imaging, explain the prognosis, and help you decide on next steps.
Benefits
- Targets persistent root-end infection
- Can preserve a tooth after prior treatment
- Uses microsurgical specialist techniques
- May avoid extraction in selected cases
- Supports healing around the root tip
- Clarifies options for complex teeth
