Root-End Resection
The surgical removal of the apical portion of a tooth root, typically 3 mm, performed during periapical microsurgery to eliminate the apical delta and infected tissue.
Full Definition
Root-end resection (also called apicoectomy in lay usage) is a surgical endodontic procedure in which the apical 3 mm of the root is excised at a 0–10° bevel, exposing the cut root surface for retrograde preparation and filling. Removal of this portion eliminates the majority of lateral canals and the apical delta that may harbour persistent microorganisms. Editors should note that 'root-end resection' is the preferred contemporary term in surgical endodontic literature, superseding 'apicoectomy' in specialist journals, though both are acceptable. 'Root resection' is a different procedure (removal of an entire root from a multi-rooted tooth) and must not be used interchangeably.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate 'root-end' as a compound modifier. Preferred over 'apicoectomy' in specialist surgical endodontic publications. 'Root resection' (complete root removal) is a distinct procedure.
In Context
- "Root-end resection was performed at a 5° bevel using a piezoelectric surgical unit under 16× magnification." — Surgical endodontic case report
- "Editors should confirm that 'root-end resection' is not conflated with 'root resection,' which denotes removal of an entire root in a multi-rooted tooth." — Copy-editing style note