What it is
When root canal treatment or a retreatment fail to clear the infection at the tip of the root, apical microsurgery makes it possible to access the source directly from outside, clean it and seal the root from the tip.
It’s the last resort in conservative dentistry before considering extraction.
Care after the procedure
- Local cold: applying cold to the cheek in the first few hours helps control inflammation.
- Soft, cold diet on the first day, avoiding chewing on the treated side.
- Normal hygiene, avoiding brushing directly over the incision site for the first few days.
- Follow-up check-up: we assess healing with an X-ray after a few months to confirm the bone has regenerated correctly.
- The infection persists after root canal treatment or a retreatment
- There's a lesion at the root tip that doesn't respond to treatment through the canal
- The realistic alternative is extracting the tooth
What the process looks like
- 3D digital planning 3D X-ray to locate the source of infection and plan the approach before the procedure.
- Access under magnification Using a microscope or high-power loupes, direct access is gained to the tip of the root.
- Cleaning and retrograde sealing The infected area is cleaned and the root is sealed from the tip.
Frequently asked questions
Is it the same as an apicoectomy?
It's the same procedure. Apical microsurgery is the modern version, carried out with micro-instruments and under magnification, which greatly reduces the post-operative period.
What's the recovery like?
Since it's done with microsurgery and minimally invasive techniques, recovery is usually short and comfortable, with mild inflammation that eases within a few days.
Does it leave a visible scar on the gum?
The incision is very small and is made in the gum, not the skin, so it leaves no visible mark when speaking or smiling.
When can you tell it's worked?
Pain and inflammation improve within the first few days. Full healing of the bone around the root is confirmed with a follow-up X-ray several months later.