Apicoectomy in Calabasas
If you've already had a root canal and the tooth is acting up again, with tenderness when you bite, a small bump on the gum, or a dull ache that keeps coming back, you may be wondering whether the tooth can still be saved. For many patients, an apicoectomy offers another path forward. At 805 Dentistry, we help patients from Calabasas and nearby communities understand this procedure and decide whether it fits their situation.
An apicoectomy, sometimes called root-end surgery, is a procedure that treats the very tip of a tooth's root, known as the apex. Instead of reaching the problem through the top of the tooth the way a root canal does, we access the root tip through the gum tissue. We then remove the inflamed or infected tissue along with the end of the root and seal it. The goal is to keep your natural tooth in place rather than extracting it.
This procedure usually comes up when a root canal alone hasn't fully resolved the problem. Sometimes the anatomy of a root makes it hard to clean completely from above. In other cases, a tooth has a crown or post that would be difficult to remove for a root canal retreatment. Our team includes a board-certified endodontist, so we can look at all of these options together and explain the reasoning behind our recommendation.
Your first visit focuses on finding out exactly what is happening below the gumline. We offer CBCT imaging along with 2D and 3D dental imaging, and we have a board-certified oral and maxillofacial radiologist on staff. Three-dimensional images can show the shape of the root, the surrounding bone, and areas of infection that a standard X-ray may not reveal clearly.
Good candidates often have a tooth that has already been treated with a root canal but continues to cause symptoms. They may also have a root shape that complicates conventional treatment or a restoration that makes retreatment impractical. An apicoectomy isn't right for every tooth. If a tooth is badly cracked or lacks enough support, we'll talk honestly about alternatives, including extraction and tooth replacement options such as dental implants. You don't need a referral to see our endodontist, so Calabasas patients can contact us directly to schedule an evaluation.
What happens during an apicoectomy?
An apicoectomy is an in-office surgical procedure performed with local anesthetic to numb the area. Once you're comfortable, we make a small opening in the gum near the affected root. We then remove the infected tissue and the root tip, clean the area, and place a small filling to seal the end of the root.
Here's what you can generally expect on the day of treatment:
- A review of your imaging and a chance to ask final questions
- Local anesthetic, plus sedation if you've chosen it
- Gentle access to the root tip through the gum
- Removal of inflamed tissue and the end of the root
- Sealing of the root end and closing the gum with sutures
- Written aftercare instructions before you head home
If dental visits make you anxious, we can help with that. We have a board-certified dental anesthesiologist on staff, and our sedation options include nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia. We'll discuss which level of sedation suits you during your consultation.
What is recovery like after an apicoectomy?
Most patients can expect some tenderness and mild swelling in the area for a few days after surgery. Before you leave, we'll give you specific instructions for your case, covering how to manage discomfort, what to eat, and how to keep the area clean while the gum heals.
We'll also schedule follow-up care so we can check on your healing. Over time, the bone around the root tip needs to heal, and follow-up imaging helps us monitor that progress. If something doesn't feel right between visits, call us. We offer same-day emergency appointments through our endodontic team, which can be reassuring for patients traveling in from Calabasas.
How can I pay for an apicoectomy?
We accept all major PPO insurance plans, and our endodontic services are filed with insurance as specialist care. Coverage varies from plan to plan, so our team can help you understand what your benefits may apply to before treatment begins.
If you don't have dental insurance, we welcome self-pay patients. Financing is also available for those who prefer to spread out the cost. When you call our office, let us know you're coming from Calabasas and that you'd like an apicoectomy evaluation. We'll walk you through scheduling, imaging, and payment options so you know what to expect from your first visit onward.