Professional
Technical
IVT
apicoectomy
Pronunciation: ay-pi-ko-EK-toh-mee
Surgical removal of the root tip and surrounding infected tissue.
Full Definition
An apicoectomy is an endodontic surgical procedure that involves the removal of the apex (tip) of a tooth's root along with any infected or inflamed periapical tissue. This procedure is typically performed when conventional root canal therapy has failed or is not feasible, allowing preservation of the natural tooth.
In Context
- "An apicoectomy was performed on tooth #19 due to persistent periapical pathology." — surgical report
- "The apicoectomy procedure included retrograde filling with MTA." — operative technique
Also known as
root-end resection
periapical surgery
Don't confuse with
apexification
root amputation