{"id":8081,"date":"2026-07-10T13:32:41","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T11:32:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mondent.ba\/?p=8081"},"modified":"2026-07-10T13:32:44","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T11:32:44","slug":"apicoectomy-when-needed-procedure-recovery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mondent.ba\/en\/apikotomija-zuba-kada-je-potrebna-kako-izgleda-zahvat-i-koliko-traje-oporavak\/","title":{"rendered":"Tooth apicotomy: when is it needed, what the procedure looks like and how long does the recovery take?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Apicoectomy is an oral surgical procedure that removes the tip of the tooth root along with the surrounding inflamed tissue, most often a granuloma or cyst. It is performed when root canal treatment has failed or is not possible, and the goal is clear - to preserve the natural tooth and avoid extraction.<\/span><\/p>

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, lasts between 30 and 90 minutes, and most patients return to daily activities within a few days. Below, we explain when a dental apicotomy is necessary, what exactly the procedure looks like, what you can expect during recovery, and what complications to watch out for.<\/span><\/p>

What is an apicotomy?<\/b><\/h2>

Each tooth is held in the jawbone by a root. Front teeth usually have one root, while premolars and molars have two or more. Nerves and blood vessels enter the tooth through the tip of each root. When bacteria penetrate the tip of the root due to deep decay, injury, or failed treatment, chronic inflammation occurs at that site.<\/span><\/p>

Apicoectomy involves removing the last few millimeters of the root tip and all infected tissue around it. The root canal is then cleaned and sealed with a special filling to prevent new infection. Due to the precision it requires, the procedure is often called endodontic microsurgery.<\/span><\/p>

It is important to distinguish between apicotomy and whole root resection. In an apicotomy, only the tip is removed, while the tooth and most of the root are preserved.<\/span><\/p>

Glossary: \u200b\u200bwhat do technical terms related to apicotomy mean?<\/b><\/h3>

Term<\/b><\/p><\/td>

Short explanation<\/b><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Apex<\/span><\/p><\/td>

The tip of the tooth root through which nerves and blood vessels enter the tooth<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Granuloma<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Chronic inflammatory change (nodule of inflammatory tissue) at the root tip<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Cyst<\/span><\/p><\/td>

A fluid-filled cavity that forms around the tip of a root as a result of a long-term infection<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Endodontics<\/span><\/p><\/td>

The branch of dentistry that deals with the treatment of root canals of teeth<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Retrograde filling<\/span><\/p><\/td>

A filling that closes the canal from the side of the root apex, after its removal.<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Channel audit<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Re-treatment of an already treated root canal<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

When is a dental apicotomy necessary?<\/b><\/h2>

Apicoectomy is never the first choice. Before that, classical surgery is always tried.<\/span> root canal treatment<\/span><\/a>, and if necessary, canal revision. The procedure is recommended in the following situations:<\/span><\/p>