When damage to the teeth caused by poor oral care and malnutrition is left untreated, bacteria in the mouth increase. Bacteria concentrate on decayed teeth and can sometimes reach the root of the tooth. This causes inflammation in the tooth root. When the tooth becomes inflamed and decay progresses, root canal treatment is applied. However, in some cases, root canal treatment is not enough to save the tooth. After a failed root canal treatment, root tip surgery is required to save the tooth. This procedure is called apical resection. Apical resection is a minor surgical procedure to save at-risk teeth and prevent potentially serious complications. This procedure removes the root tip of the tooth and the surrounding inflamed tissue.
The answer to the question of what is apical resection; It is a surgical procedure performed for infections occurring in the tooth root. It is applied when the infection in the tooth cannot be removed by root canal treatment or other treatments. Apical resection requires the removal of the infected part of the root and the surrounding inflamed tissue to heal the inflammation and protect the tooth. Apical resection is also known as apicectomy or root tip surgery.
The tooth root can be defined as the part of the tooth that extends into the bone and holds the tooth in place. The tooth root, which makes up about two-thirds of the tooth, consists of different parts.
The root canal is a passage in which the pulp is located.
The cementum is a bony substance that covers the tooth root and is connected to the periodontal ligament.
The periodontal ligament is made up of connective tissue and collagen fibers. Together with the cementum, the periodontal ligament, which contains nerves and blood vessels, connects the teeth to the tooth sockets.
The pulp is the innermost part of the tooth, which also contains the nerves, vessels and connective tissues that feed the tooth. Inflammation in this part caused by various reasons is called a tooth root infection. Failure to treat a tooth root infection can lead to serious oral and dental health problems.
The enamel and dentin layer on the upper part of the tooth plays an important role in the protection of the tooth root. Deformations in the structures of the enamel and dentin layers cause disruptions in the integrity of dental health. As a result, there is a risk of harmful bacteria reaching the tooth roots. When the tooth roots become infected, root inflammation occurs.
Among the causes of tooth root inflammation;
Apical resection is a surgical procedure performed by a dentist and involves the administration of anesthesia. An incision is made in the gum to gain access to the area of the tooth root tip, then infected or inflamed tissues are cut out and removed. The root tip is straightened and sutured. The healing process can take several weeks and the patient can use painkillers and antibiotics, following the dentist’s recommendations.
Apical resection can be performed on different tooth types such as incisors, canines, premolars (especially upper molars) and molars. Which tooth will receive the procedure is determined by the patient’s X-ray images and the dentist’s assessment. This procedure is used to address infections, cysts, root fractures and tooth root problems after root canal treatment.
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