Saving Your Teeth One Root At A Time Through Apicoectomy

What Is An Apicoectomy?

Sometimes, the best way to surgically retreat a failing root canal treatment is to approach it through the root instead of the crown. This approach is apical surgery or apicoectomy (surgery on the apex, or tip, of the root). Apical surgery may be indicated in the case of persistent, well-established infections or cysts, cases in which retreatment may have undesirable consequences, or infected canal spaces accessible only through surgery.

How An Apicoectomy Works

During apical surgery, the endodontist accesses the infection through an incision in the gums. The infected tissue is removed and sent to a pathology lab to be evaluated. The root’s tip, which usually contains the source of the problem, is also removed. The endodontist then carefully prepares a small tunnel in the root canal and places a root-end filling. The gum tissue is closed with sutures that are removed after several days. Once the infection is removed, the bone can heal.

With Dr. Holsteen , You’re In Good Hands

In the past, it was difficult to predict a successful apicoectomy, but advances in diagnostic and surgical techniques, including microscopic visualization and ultrasonic instrumentation, have dramatically increased surgical precision. As a result, success rates are higher than they ever were before.

Serving Colorado Springs families for over 30 years...

Dan
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Our family have been going here for over twenty years and have never been disappointed. Fantastic people and service. Very easy to recommend...
Lindsey
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Excellent visit. Friendly staff and Dr Holsteen was a pleasure to visit with.
Meganne
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I've been seeing Dr. Holsteen since 1992! The staff is wonderful! They are friendly and they talk to you! They are not robots! (Not to mention they play my favorite oldies station on Pandora when I go in!) I love these professionals because they make you feel at home!
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