Are you suffering from a tooth fracture or infection? Root amputation and apicoectomy are two vital endodontics processes that might be your best options in this regard! They have significant differences, although they seem identical. The main reason you would get a root apicoectomy or amputation done is if you had a tooth with a root canal treatment done that didn’t completely fix the issue.
Once the root canal is done, specific issues may loom that endodontic retreatment can’t resolve! Powell, TN dental office understands that if left untreated, those issues might lead to the loss of teeth. Let’s discuss these endodontic surgeries!
Root Amputation: Overview
Another name for root amputation is root resection, a dental process used to maintain the health or unaffected roots of molar or multi-rooted teeth. The upper jaw molars usually have three roots, while molars in the lower jaw consist of two roots. Once the impacted tooth is extracted in this specialized periodontal process, the rest is stabilized and completely functioned with the assistance of a crown or restoration. The leading reason for tooth amputation is to protect the natural tooth from removal, as no replacement can be as functional as the natural tooth.
Type of Tooth Eligibles for Root Amputation
If a root on which you have root canal therapy has any of the following symptoms, your tooth is a great candidate for root amputation:
- Fractures or infections cause acute bone loss.
- Embedded bacteria.
- Deterioration in a concentrated area.
If the root is going through deterioration, the remainder of the roots must have adequate bone to support the tooth. If the issue affects only one root and the remaining tooth structure is healthy, your dentist can conduct a root amputation to protect your tooth.
Benefits of Root Amputation
- Preservation of natural tooth – Root amputation eliminates the requirement of teeth extraction, and, as suggested by many dentists, no substitute is better than natural teeth.
- No requirement for general anesthesia – This process can quickly be performed under local anesthesia, and there’s no requirement for top-notch general anesthesia settings.
- Cost Efficiency – Unlike dental implants and fixed prostheses followed by the removal of natural teeth, root amputation is less pricey.
Apicoectomy: Overview
An apicoectomy is the process of extracting the apex of the tooth’s root. After root canal therapy, if the infection doesn’t go away entirely or if you have an infection in the apical foramen, the endodontist executes an apicoectomy. 
Type of Tooth Eligibles for Apicoectomy
In teeth with root canal therapy, most obstacles are caused by abnormalities close to the root tip. Apicoectomies are performed by endodontists when endodontic retreatment is ineffective. Signs of an apicoectomy include the following:
- Inefficiency in cleaning a root canal restricted by a broken file that your dentist can’t eliminate.
- A curved root canal that deters endodontic files from reaching the apex of the root.
- Infection after root canal treatment.
- A crack or fracture on the apical area of a tooth root.
- Too much calcium in the tooth keeps endodontic files from penetrating to the apex.
Benefits of Apicoectomy
- It protects the tooth.
- It involves a quick recovery period.
- It has a high success rate.
Conclusion
It’s crucial to remember that root amputation can only be executed on healthy roots. A tooth that is infected, severely cracked, or broken elsewhere will be extracted, even if it is a “key” tooth. Teeth that are good candidates for root amputation have robust structural support, an aesthetically pleasing tooth surface, and healthy gums underneath. On the other hand, apicoectomy is often performed when the tooth doesn’t heal properly after a root canal and gets reinfected. The process removes damaged tissue to protect the tooth and avoid it getting extracted.