Hello.
We provide honest treatment and easy-to-understand explanations!
This is Seouldia Dental Clinic near Magok Station, where smiles come to mind before worries.
Today, we’re continuing the story of apicoectomy.^^
An apicoectomy
removes root-end inflammation that root canal treatment could not fully eliminate,
and it is the final-stage treatment that can save a tooth without extracting it.
In other words, it is a “surgery that keeps the tooth in place while neatly removing only the problematic root tip.”
It is performed when pain remains even after root canal treatment,
when pus forms in the gums,
when retreatment is difficult to resolve the problem,
and when the tooth is too valuable to extract,
as the last treatment to preserve your precious natural tooth.
If you read the previous post through the link below, [1. When an Apicoectomy Is Needed],
understanding today’s post will be much easier.
If you read from the link below first, understanding will be much easier.
So, shall we get started in earnest?
Let’s look step by step at how the actual procedure is performed,
in Seouldia Dental Clinic’s style.
We’ll begin with an explanation that is more certain than searching online and easy to understand at a glance.
Apicoectomy Procedure
- Preoperative Diagnosis
![Mokgok-dong Dental Clinic_ “Here’s How We Treat Root-End Inflammation!” [2. Apicoectomy Process] image 1](https://pub-9f2bb3498faf4d1d8714b41df24753e3.r2.dev/content/clinics/archive/rlg13v0fli/naver_blog/dia_dental/assets/by_hash/43fa12e0716b471c0f5775209cc2629d860aec6233eaecbcfa52c10a9c61b230.jpg)
Mokgok-dong Dental Clinic_Preoperative diagnosis
First, through X-ray or 3D CT,
we precisely identify the location, size, and root shape of the inflammation.
We need to distinguish whether this is simply gum inflammation or inflammation left behind after root canal treatment
so that accurate treatment is possible.
Based on these diagnostic results,
we carefully plan the surgical site and incision range.
Simply put, this is the process of drawing the “blueprint” for the surgery in advance.
- Anesthesia
![Mokgok-dong Dental Clinic_ “Here’s How We Treat Root-End Inflammation!” [2. Apicoectomy Process] image 2](https://pub-9f2bb3498faf4d1d8714b41df24753e3.r2.dev/content/clinics/archive/rlg13v0fli/naver_blog/dia_dental/assets/by_hash/42cdfa3991b3adfb25a5cb85c504a2fc8f617cf448392093cf7fb49c2fce5c7b.jpg)
Mokgok-dong Dental Clinic_Anesthesia
Apicoectomy is performed under local anesthesia.
You may wonder, “Is local anesthesia enough for surgery?”
But don’t worry~ It’s fine. ^^
It only temporarily lets the nerves around the tooth “rest,”
so it is not as heavy as general anesthesia—don’t worry.
- Gum Incision
![Mokgok-dong Dental Clinic_ “Here’s How We Treat Root-End Inflammation!” [2. Apicoectomy Process] image 3](https://pub-9f2bb3498faf4d1d8714b41df24753e3.r2.dev/content/clinics/archive/rlg13v0fli/naver_blog/dia_dental/assets/by_hash/08ba07a7cdc57da71d6546d4e1a937d3ea1b4d1dfd558d13d3ca51c6e7788ff3.png)
Mokgok-dong Dental Clinic_Gum incision
Now we enter the full surgical stage.
To reach the root tip of the tooth,
a small incision must be made on the outer side of the gum.
Through this passage, the inflamed area can be identified accurately.
The incision area is smaller and thinner than you might expect.
It is rare for a scar to remain or for the face to swell significantly.
What matters here is 확보ing a clear view,
because the inflamed area must be seen and removed accurately
so that any remaining bacteria do not cause inflammation again.
- Removal of Inflammation
![Mokgok-dong Dental Clinic_ “Here’s How We Treat Root-End Inflammation!” [2. Apicoectomy Process] image 4](https://pub-9f2bb3498faf4d1d8714b41df24753e3.r2.dev/content/clinics/archive/rlg13v0fli/naver_blog/dia_dental/assets/by_hash/a4bb6a33e7ce904145d0c9f66e597111a4b56395fa5a8f82c94c092a27a72d14.png)
Mokgok-dong Dental Clinic_Removal of inflammation
This is the core of apicoectomy!
The inflamed root tip (apex) and the inflammatory tissue accumulated around it are thoroughly removed.
Through this process,
even deep-seated infection that root canal treatment could not reach is addressed.
Simply put, it is a precise surgery that removes only the problematic part
while leaving everything else intact.
- Root Tip Finishing and Filling
![Mokgok-dong Dental Clinic_ “Here’s How We Treat Root-End Inflammation!” [2. Apicoectomy Process] image 5](https://pub-9f2bb3498faf4d1d8714b41df24753e3.r2.dev/content/clinics/archive/rlg13v0fli/naver_blog/dia_dental/assets/by_hash/47b63b98aa8480e0ffd4a4f7af12025c1009cf69afebf0cd7fd062f5f124223a.png)
Mokgok-dong Dental Clinic_Root tip filling
After removing the inflammation, the cut root tip is shaped,
and the inside is carefully sealed and filled.
This is the process of “blocking the entrance so bacteria cannot get back in.”
Think of it as the same principle as filling wall gaps with silicone.
This step is essential to greatly reduce the chance of recurrence after treatment.
- Suturing and Recovery Care
![Mokgok-dong Dental Clinic_ “Here’s How We Treat Root-End Inflammation!” [2. Apicoectomy Process] image 6](https://pub-9f2bb3498faf4d1d8714b41df24753e3.r2.dev/content/clinics/archive/rlg13v0fli/naver_blog/dia_dental/assets/by_hash/936819cddd61fbb0dd31fff0f1f2f12cf9eb13f206586a5d0f7f3bdfc1dc715e.png)
Mokgok-dong Dental Clinic_Recovery care after suturing
When all procedures are complete, the incision area is gently sutured.
Usually, the stitches are removed in about a week,
and during that time, the gums heal naturally.
The apicoectomy procedure is not complicated.
Seen step by step, it can be summarized like this.
- Accurate diagnosis with X-ray and CT
- Performed without pain under local anesthesia
- Access to the inflamed area after gum incision
- Removal of inflammation and the root tip
- Internal filling to prevent recurrence
- Suturing and recovery care
In other words, it is a process of precisely treating only the necessary area
while preserving the healthy tooth.
For those wondering, “Do I have to have the tooth extracted?”
apicoectomy is the treatment that answers, “It can be saved!”
![Mokgok-dong Dental Clinic_ “Here’s How We Treat Root-End Inflammation!” [2. Apicoectomy Process] image 7](https://pub-9f2bb3498faf4d1d8714b41df24753e3.r2.dev/content/clinics/archive/rlg13v0fli/naver_blog/dia_dental/assets/by_hash/7eff2a37304f868ecaf31793e985570afbf48b39a801ac10d918e999ce01acb8.jpg)
Mokgok-dong Seouldia Dental Clinic
Seouldia Dental Clinic near Magok Station
protects each patient’s natural teeth with
fast diagnosis, precise removal, and minimal incision.
If the pain continues now,
or if the gums are still swollen even after root canal treatment,
don’t hesitate—please get a professional diagnosis.
Treatment that preserves your tooth “to the very end,”
Seouldia Dental Clinic will be with you.
[ This post was written in accordance with the Medical Service Act for the purpose of providing correct information about dental surgery and procedures. Infection and side effects may occur after surgery, so you should decide on surgery (procedure) only after sufficient consultation with experienced medical staff. ]
[ Mokgok-dong Seouldia Dental Clinic Apicoectomy Series]
-
Cases Where Apicoectomy Is Needed
-
Apicoectomy Procedure
-
Problems That Occur When Apicoectomy Is Delayed
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Care After Apicoectomy and How to Prevent Recurrence