Apicoectomy in Moorpark
If you had a root canal and the tooth is still sore, swollen, or showing signs of infection, you may be wondering whether you'll lose it. For many patients in Moorpark and across the region, an apicoectomy offers another path to keeping the natural tooth. At 805 Dentistry, our board-certified endodontist performs this focused procedure in our Thousand Oaks office, and you can come to us directly. No referral is needed.
An apicoectomy, sometimes called root-end surgery, treats a problem at the very tip of a tooth's root. During a standard root canal, we clean and seal the canals from the top of the tooth. Occasionally, infection or inflammation lingers near the root tip, where the anatomy can be complex or hard to reach from above. An apicoectomy approaches the issue from the other end. We gently access the root tip through the gum, remove the infected tissue along with the very end of the root, and seal the canal from below.
Patients often come to this procedure after a first root canal, or after a root canal retreatment, has not fully resolved their symptoms. Others have a tooth with a crown or post that would be difficult to disturb. In those situations, working at the root tip can be a more practical option than redoing the treatment from the top. Because our office also offers root canal therapy for front teeth, premolars, and molars, we can look at the whole picture and recommend the approach that fits your tooth.
Choosing an office for surgery near the root of a tooth often comes down to trust, experience, and convenience. We serve families throughout Moorpark, Simi Valley, Camarillo, and neighboring communities. Our endodontics team includes a board-certified endodontist who focuses on root canal care, cracked teeth, and traumatic dental injuries. That depth of focus matters when a tooth has already been through treatment once.
We also bring several services together under one roof, which can save Moorpark patients extra trips. Our board-certified oral and maxillofacial radiologist provides CBCT imaging and 2D and 3D dental imaging to help us see the root and surrounding bone in detail. We also have an on-site dental lab. If your tooth flares up unexpectedly, we offer same-day emergency endodontic appointments whenever possible.
Am I a good candidate for an apicoectomy?
You may be a candidate if a tooth that already had a root canal still has infection or inflammation near the root tip. The only way to know for sure is a careful evaluation. We start with an exam and imaging, then talk with you about what we see and which options make sense.
Situations where we may discuss an apicoectomy include:
- Ongoing tenderness, swelling, or infection after a root canal
- A tooth with a crown or post that we'd prefer not to remove
- Root anatomy that is difficult to treat fully from the top of the tooth
- A tooth where retreatment alone may not reach the problem area
In some cases, retreatment, extraction, or tooth replacement such as a dental implant may be the better choice. We offer all of these, so our recommendation is based on your tooth, not on a single procedure. If we find a crack or another concern, we'll explain it plainly.
What happens during the procedure, and how do I care for my tooth afterward?
The procedure is usually completed in one visit with the area thoroughly numbed. We make a small opening in the gum near the affected root, remove the inflamed or infected tissue and the root tip, place a small filling to seal the end of the canal, and close the area. If you feel nervous, our board-certified dental anesthesiologist offers sedation options, including nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia.
Before you leave, we'll give you written aftercare instructions tailored to your treatment. These typically cover how to manage tenderness or swelling, which foods to choose in the first days, and how to keep the area clean while it heals. We'll also schedule follow-up visits so we can check your healing with imaging over time. If something doesn't feel right during recovery, please call us. We'd rather hear from you early.
How can I pay for an apicoectomy?
We'll go over costs with you before treatment so there are no surprises. We accept all major PPO insurance plans. Our endodontic services file insurance claims as a Specialist, and our team can help you understand what your plan may cover.
If you don't have dental insurance, we welcome self-pay patients, and financing is available to help spread out the cost of care. Saving a natural tooth is a worthwhile investment, and we want the payment side to feel manageable. If you live in Moorpark and have a tooth that hasn't healed the way you hoped, reach out to our team to schedule an evaluation and learn whether an apicoectomy is right for you.