Apicectomy
Pronunciation: ay-pih-SEK-toh-mee
A minor surgical procedure in which the apex (tip) of a tooth root is removed and the root end sealed, used when conventional root canal treatment has failed.
Full Definition
Apicectomy (also spelled apicoectomy) is a surgical endodontic procedure involving the resection of the root apex of a tooth, followed by the placement of a retrograde root-end filling to seal the canal. It is indicated when periapical pathology persists after orthograde root canal treatment. Editors should note the preferred British spelling 'apicectomy' in UK clinical documents, distinguishing it from the American variant 'apicoectomy'. The procedure is documented in clinical notes and referral letters to oral surgeons.
Usage
Usage note: In UK dental documents, 'apicectomy' is the preferred spelling. 'Apicoectomy' is the accepted American English variant. Editors should standardise to the appropriate regional convention throughout a document.
In Context
- "The patient was referred to the oral surgery unit for an apicectomy following two failed root canal retreatments on the upper-left lateral incisor." — Referral letter to oral surgery
- "Post-operative instructions following apicectomy should advise the patient to avoid rinsing for 24 hours." — Clinical protocol document